Workshop for local businesses run on Dartmoor
To achieve ambitious targets in peatland restoration it’s clear it’s going to take a lot of determination, funding and people working together through the challenges faced. We also need to grow the pool of local, environmentally-focussed contractors who have the machinery, knowledge and ambition to tackle degrading peatlands out on the moorlands.
In an effort to engage skilled contractors in works to conserve one of the UK's most critical ecosystems, the Dartmoor Headwaters Project, South West Peatland Partnership and Quantock and Exmoor Ltd teamed up to host a two-day Peatland Restoration Training Workshop in September out on Dartmoor.
Restoration Officer Jonny explaining peatland restoration. Credit: Angelique McBride
This innovative workshop brought together individuals from local and small businesses, all eager to expand their knowledge and expertise in peatland restoration. Over the course of two days, participants delved deep into the world of peat, its significance, and the essential techniques required to restore these valuable landscapes.
The workshop's comprehensive agenda was designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful peatland restoration efforts.
The workshop included:
Understanding Peat: The workshop began with an indepth exploration of peat itself; what it is, how it forms, and its role in the ecosystem. Participants gained a solid understanding of the unique properties of peat and its importance in the fight against climate change.
Why Restore Peatlands: The significance of peatland restoration was addressed, emphasizing its role in carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and natural flood management. Participants left with a clear sense of why these landscapes need restoration.
The workshop team out on NW Dartmoor Credit: Angelique McBride
Principles of Peatland Restoration: A peatland restoration officer led discussions on the principles of peatland restoration. Attendees were introduced to various techniques used in the process, from blocking drainage channels to restoring the natural water table.
Natural Flood Management: Natural flood management officers shared valuable insights into the connection between peatland restoration and flood risk reduction. They highlighted how restored peatlands can slow down water flow, reduce downstream flooding, and improve overall flood resilience.
Participants trialling newly-learned techniques out on Dartmoor. Credit: Angelique McBride
Practical Restoration Techniques: To provide hands-on experience, an experienced peatland restoration contractor and their team demonstrated practical restoration techniques. Participants had the opportunity to witness as well as have a go themselves at creating features that promote peatland recovery, such as constructing peat blocks, and timber blocks.
Preserving the Past: The workshop included an exploration of how peat can act as time capsules, preserving traces of the past. The importance of working sensitively in a historically significant landscape was explained, with the SWPP Historic Environment Officer sharing insights into the history of peatland use, such as the practice of peat cuttings and tin streaming, and how contractors can protect historic features during practical works.
We’re pleased that contractors found the workshop helpful, and look forward to working with many in the future out on our peatlands. This workshop underscores the commitment of the Dartmoor Headwaters Project and the South West Peatland Partnership to invest in the local rural economy. By training local individuals and businesses, this initiative is empowering them to actively participate in peatland restoration efforts and to bid for future restoration projects.