Peatscapes

Peatscapes is a North Pennines AONB based collaborative project that aims to conserve and enhance the internationally important blanket bog habitat within the AONB.
Despite its importance, peatland function is currently poorly understood, and undervalued as a habitat. Blanket bog is a priority habitat, with only 47% of that designated as SSSI currently in recovery condition (Natural England).
Over 9000 kilometers of drainage ditches (grips) cut into the peat over the last 50 years still exist and are damaging the blanket bog. This drainage leads to degraded peatlands and a host of biodiversity and hydrological issues, as well as the release of enormous quanities of carbon dioxide.
Peatscapes is working to block 500 kilometres of grips on blanket bog over the next 4 years and we will restore at least 8 priority areas of peatland which will improve priority habitat, reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the drying peat, and reduce flood risk for downsteam areas.