Barf Common peatland restoration

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Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) completed a fantastic small-scale project restoring peatland on Barf Common, Cockermouth funded by the Nature for Climate Peatland Restoration Fund.

Works included revegetating of bare peat and mineral soils using turves and seeding, inoculation of Sphagnum-absent areas with micro-propagated Sphagnumspp plugs, installation of peat bunds to hold back water rewetting the peat, and reprofiling of eroded hags (overhang of peat). Due to the neighbouring plantation, over 450 self-seeded, invasive Sitka spruce saplings were removed to prevent the water table dropping and drying out the peat.

As works were already planned and contractors would be on-site, Fix the Fells and LDNPA took the opportunity to repair 300m of footpath This addressed some of the peatland erosion that had increased due to footfall and severe deterioration of the condition of the public right of way due to the lack of peatland management. Access has now greatly improved and will protect the surrounding peat from further erosion.

A picture of muddy peatland and a fell in the background

Before

A path in the middle of peatland and a fell in the background

After

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Restored peatlands provide multiple benefits to the surrounding landscapes and communities including improvements to water quality, flood risk reduction and biodiversity conservation. Restored peatlands can help to slow the flow of water within a water catchment, therefore helping to reduce the risk of flooding during periods of high rainfall and releasing water slowly during periods of drought.

The project will provide numerous opportunities for residents to come and volunteer in the Lakeland fells whilst conducting the peat bog restoration monitoring work using ‘Eyes on the Bog’ devices. Post restoration monitoring surveys will monitor the presence of further erosion through trampling, levels of bare peat etc. This information can be used to further inform grazing levels suitable for the site and whether any further actions are required to revegetate the bare peat.

The tenant farmer has a Higher-Level Stewardship scheme with Natural England. Part of the agreement limits the number of animals allowed to graze and encourages off-wintering to protect the moorland habitat.

This has been a fantastic example of partnership working with LDNPA, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Fix the Fells, local volunteers, the Forestry Commission and the involved commoner all working together to restore this valuable peatland, boost outdoor recreation and protect this amazing landscape for future generations.

Barf Common peatland restoration

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