Team shot of the BMC Volunteers on the hill – Alice Learey
The EUROPARC Federation and the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS) are delighted to announce the winner of the Joint Award for Outdoor Sports and Nature Conservation: The Climate Project: Sphagnum Planting, a collaborative initiative between the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and the Peak District National Park, delivered by Moors for the Future Partnership.
This project demonstrated how experienced Outdoor Sports enthusiasts-climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers-can actively contribute to nature conservation, applying their love for the land in deeply practical ways. Their work on peatland restoration across the Peak District and South Pennines has not only benefited the environment but also set new standards in Outdoor Sports engagement with conservation.
Restoring Life to the Moorlands
Set against the iconic landscape of The Roaches in Staffordshire, the initiative focused on restoring 27 hectares of degraded peat moorland, with 4.9 hectares planted directly by BMC volunteers using innovative methods. This included planting sphagnum moss – a vital bog-building plant – into carefully created microhabitats using nothing more than walking boots to make shoe-sized “scrapes” in challenging terrain.
Working through the winter of 2023/24 in post-wildfire conditions, volunteers showed remarkable resilience and dedication. Their efforts helped stabilise and rewet peatlands that had been severely impacted by the devastating 2018 fire, which released an estimated 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Impact and Innovation
This innovative, volunteer-led planting method proved highly effective. Scientific monitoring found that 100% of the sphagnum plugs survived, significantly outperforming traditional planting techniques. Growth rates were also far higher – 4.5 times the planted size-demonstrating the value of this people-powered approach.
The environmental benefits are manifold: improved water quality, reduced flood and wildfire risk, increased biodiversity, and long-term carbon sequestration. Socially, the project has deepened public understanding of the importance of peatlands and fostered a sense of custodianship among the Outdoor Sports community.
Collaboration at its Best
This success was only possible through the strong collaboration between nature conservation experts and Outdoor Sports stakeholders. The BMC’s Access & Conservation Trust provided £90,000 in funding, which was instrumental in unlocking a further £2.5 million through the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. Meanwhile, Natural England and the Moors for the Future Partnership provided vital guidance, training, and scientific oversight.
A Model for the Future
As a result of the initiative’s success, the BMC has become a member of the UN Sport for Nature Framework and is already inspiring similar action across the international Outdoor Sports community. This project now serves as an exemplar of how sport can support nature-based climate solutions.
What’s Next?
As winners of the Joint Award, representatives from the BMC and Peak District National Park will be invited to attend the upcoming EUROPARC Conference, where they will be formally recognised.
In addition, they will be invited to present their work during a special Webinar on 29 October 2025. Mark your calendars and join our events to get an opportunity to learn more!
Congratulations to the British Mountaineering Council and Peak District National Park for leading the way in demonstrating how sport and nature can thrive together. Your efforts are a powerful reminder that conservation isn’t just about preserving landscapes-it’s about active participation, community, and a shared future.