Help Measure North Pennines Peat – Help Counter Climate Change
2011-07-05

Survey work undertaken by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is providing important clues about the role restored peatlands play in reducing the severity of climate change - and members of the public are invited to help collect this vital data at a free event on Sunday 24 July.

North Pennines AONB Partnership volunteers
measuring peat depth

Over the past four years, the AONB Partnership has blocked more than 1,000 kilometres of moorland drains with peat dams to restore important blanket bog habitats in the North Pennines. The aim of this work is to slow the rapid flow of rainwater along the drainage channels and prevent further erosion of the peat. Dried out peat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.

Members of the public can now get involved in helping to increase the understanding of the North Pennine peat bogs at the AONB Partnership’s How Deep is our Peat? event at the Warcop Military Training Area, Cumbria on Sunday 24 July from 9am-4pm. Volunteers will be able to help the AONB Partnership collect new data on peat depth which will give a much more accurate picture of how much carbon is stored in the peat.

Full hill walking kit is required and the eight miles (13km) of walking is graded ‘hard’ (steep, strenuous climbs and rough moorland – boots essential). Please bring a packed lunch, the event is not suitable for children and no dogs are allowed. The event is free but booking is necessary – contact the AONB Partnership office on 01388 528801 or email info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

How Deep is our Peat? is just one of more than 30 events taking place throughout 2011 as part of the North Pennines AONB Events Programme, which appears on the North Pennines AONB website. Alternatively people can get more information on events by calling the AONB Partnership on 01388 528801 or emailing info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

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