Sphagnum Moss Planting
/Today I joined 17 other volunteers and 2 National Trust Rangers in planting 4000 Sphagnum Moss plugs on the moors above Linch Clough in the Peak District. We made our way from the visitor centre at Fairholmes, in the National Trust Land Rovers up to the Kings Tree, and from here we made our way up Linch Clough by foot and onto the moors. Here we found various sections of the moors where the heather had already been cut back by the National Trust and each cut area had an allocated number of Sphagnum Moss plugs to plant. Although a little damp with some drizzle it wasn’t too bad, and it’s a really great way to meet some fellow minded folk. After 6 hours of not too labour intensive work we returned back to the Land Rovers with a feeling that we had actually contributed something worth while.
Sphagnum Moss is key to the area for many reasons. It can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water which can help prevent flooding. It helps keep the moors damp and thus helps prevent wild fires from spreading and it stores huge amounts of carbon which helps with global warming. We also saw some plugs that had been planted in February this year which had quadrupled in size.
Well done to the British Mountaineering Council, Mountain Training Association and National Trust for organising. If you want to volunteer check out the Moors for the Future website.
