Introducing Dorset Peat Partnership

May 26, 2023

 

Dorset Peat Partnership

Vegetation quadrat survey being undertaken by local volunteers on Canford Heath for discovery grant baseline surveys. Credit Grace HerveDorset Peat Partnership (DPP) is a subgroup of the Dorset Catchment Partnerships. DPP is hosted by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) who employ the Dorset Peat Project Manager. It was formed to develop peatland restoration plans within Dorset through the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS) Discovery Grant. The DPP hopes to continue the partnership to deliver these plans with future funding from the NCPGS Restoration Grant bid and beyond. Our key project partners include Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry England, BCP Council, National Trust, RSPB and one private landowner, plus key links with supportive organisations including the Dorset AONB Partnership, Bournemouth University and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

The Dorset Heaths and mires are highly fragmented examples of lowland heath habitats which support a multitude of rare and protected species. The DPP is hoping with restoration grant funding to restore 172 hectares of this habitat across sixteen sites within the restoration grant time frame by 2025.  By re-establishing natural hydrological processes to promote the recovery of declining mire vegetation communities, this will in turn enable peat-forming and carbon storage functions across all these sites.

 

Websites Links/Email for Further Information

Dorset Wildlife Trust webpage (main): www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/wildlife-conservation/dorset-peat-partnership

Dorset Catchment Partnership Project Page: www.dorsetcatchments.co.uk/projects/dorset-peat-discovery-project/

Please contact Grace Hervé, Dorset Peat Partnership Project Manager, at gherve@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out more.

Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…