Multi million pound project to protect Upper Nidderdale peatland

The £1.5m restoration scheme in Middlesmoor spans 1,414 hectares, equivalent to 1,724 football pitches.

The impressive project was undertaken in collaboration between the landowners and Yorkshire Peat Partnership, an organisation founded under Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and also Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

It aims to achieve the restoration of upland peatlands. Healthy peatlands store carbon, instead of releasing it as carbon dioxide and can help in moderating climate change.

Co-owner of Middlesmoor estate, Ben Ramsden, said: “This project has been ongoing for over five years. It’s been an extraordinary undertaking so we’re thrilled to see its successful completion. Our moors are essentially wall-to-wall deep peat and the work to re-wet has made a marked difference to the hill.”

He added: “It’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved through collaboration. Our thanks go to Yorkshire Peat Partnership for their brilliant work, to Yorkshire Water for their expertise concerning water quality and flooding, as well as the graziers and the local grouse shoot.”

Peat programme manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Dr Tim Thom, said: “Peatland restoration is a long-term process, but it is fantastic to be making progress on this important moor in Nidderdale.”

Director of the Moorland Association, Amanda Anderson, said: “This is a great example of the impact that public money can have on public goods. From climate change, carbon storage and water quality to flood mitigation and increased biodiversity, peatland restoration has no shortage of benefits for us all.

“We’re immensely grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone involved working together to restore this beautiful habitat and all of its wonderful nature for future generations to enjoy.” The estate, managed for generations for both grouse shooting and upland sheep grazing, was experiencing significant erosion. The consequences of this can be substantial and include harmful peat erosion. Yorkshire Peat Partnership estimates that North Yorkshire contains more than 86,000 hectares of blanket bog.