aerial view of rusland moss wetland landscape with bog wetland, shrubs, woodland and fields

Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve Consultation

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Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve is a 22-hectare reserve at the head of the Rusland Valley and is the northern part of one of the few remaining raised mires, or peat bogs, in the country.

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) protect some of our most important habitats, species, and geology, and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research.

Most NNRs offer great opportunities to schools, specialist interest groups and the public to experience wildlife at first hand and to learn more about nature conservation.

About the consultation

As the Responsible Body for managing the Reserve we are statutorily required to maintain an up-to-date management plan. Our intention is to produce a new management plan for the site. The plan will aim to manage the priority wildlife and habitats identified by Natural England and protected by both UK and European law and other considerations such as recreation, access, and information.

Following an initial survey as part of the consultation process, we received 30 responses. You can view the results of the initial survey through the online form.

What you said

The majority of responses were broadly positive and welcomed this new management plan for Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve.

Common themes raised included: managing access, provision of information and protecting the wildlife interest.

What we did

We discussed your feedback with Natural England and have developed a new management plan (linked below) that has been circulated for wider consultation. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of the plan, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and contact hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk.

Thank you for your interest in the management of the NNR.

Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve Draft Management Plan (PDF)