A North Pennines peatland field trip

12 November 2024

Conservation practitioners and organisations from across Europe went on a North Pennines peatland field trip at this year’s Eurosite Annual Meeting . For many, it was their first time exploring the North Pennines National Landscape.

The first stop of the trip was Valance Lodge, part of the vast Raby Estate, in Teesdale. Alistair and Kate, senior field officers from the North Pennines National Landscape team, led the group across the blanket bog site. They were joined by Raby Estates Land Agent, Joe Robinson, who spoke about the history of the area and its current management.

Taking in the stunning scenery, the group then travelled further into the remote uplands to learn about the North Pennines National Landscape team’s peatland work. Field officers gave informative talks about the restoration process. They explained that it begins with addressing the hydrology, which involves blocking drainage channels and gullies. Trip attendees saw examples of how this is achieved using coir rolls and stone dams. They also learned that diggers are used to reprofile gullies to reduce erosion; then the team works to revegetate the area. This starts with cutting moss-rich plant material from one location and then spreading it across another where new vegetation will then grow. They discovered that helicopters play an important role in peatland restoration thanks to their ability to carry huge quantities of restoration material.

The next destination was Cow Green Reservoir in Moor House – Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. In glorious sunshine, the group listened to an engaging talk by Martin Furness, the Senior Reserve Manager. He explained that the reserve is significant for a number of reasons: it is not only England’s highest and largest terrestrial national nature reserve but also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). Martin also pointed out the important relationship between healthy peat and good water quality, as the reservoir is surrounded by peatland.

After lunch at Bowlees Visitor Centre there was a visit to the final location: Hudeshope mine site. Tim Longstaff, Senior Project Manager of Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Mark Carey from the Coal Authority discussed how waste material from ore processing has caused poorly vegetated ground. This is why they are carrying out revegetation work, through the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme, which is a partnership between the North Pennines National Landscape team and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The group was able to see promising before and after results and the types of specially-produced compost being used to revegetate the landscape.

Find out more about the North Pennines National Landscape peatland programme here .