The Climate Project: Sphagnum Planting for Peatland Restoration in the Peak District

The Roaches peat moorland was severely degraded, particularly after the 2018 wildfire that released an estimated 11,000 tonnes of CO₂. Large areas of exposed, dry peat were vulnerable to erosion, reduced biodiversity, wildfire risk, and poor water retention.

There was an urgent need to stabilise and rewet damaged peatlands, reduce carbon loss, support biodiversity recovery, and lower future wildfire and flood risks. There was also a need to meaningfully engage the Outdoor Sports community in nature conservation.

A volunteer-powered peatland restoration programme was developed, centred on planting sphagnum moss-an essential bog-building species-using simple, scalable methods suitable for difficult terrain. The solution combined scientific oversight with public engagement to restore ecological function while strengthening community stewardship.

Volunteers worked during winter 2023/24 to plant sphagnum plugs into walking-boot-sized “scrapes” across 4.9 hectares within a 27-hectare restoration area. Moors for the Future provided training and monitoring. The BMC’s Access & Conservation Trust contributed £90,000, unlocking a further £2.5 million from the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. Scientific monitoring of survival and growth rates evaluated effectiveness.

British Mountaineering Council (BMC): Funding, volunteer mobilisation, project leadership.

Peak District National Park: Site management and strategic guidance.

Moors for the Future Partnership: Project delivery, training, scientific monitoring.

Natural England: Technical oversight and support through the grant scheme.

Monitoring showed 100% survival of sphagnum plugs, with growth rates 4.5 times their planted size. The restored peatland now retains water more effectively, supports biodiversity recovery, and reduces flood and wildfire risk. The project strengthened public understanding of peatland importance and has positioned the BMC within the UN Sport for Nature Framework.

Working in challenging winter conditions.

Operating in a post-wildfire landscape with unstable and degraded peat.

Implementing planting methods across steep, difficult terrain.

Simple, volunteer-led methods can achieve high ecological success when scientifically guided.

Outdoor Sports communities are powerful contributors to conservation when provided clear roles and support.

Cross-sector collaboration greatly enhances funding opportunities and project impact.

Early engagement and robust training underpin safe and effective volunteer work in sensitive landscapes.