Restoration of peatland sites across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside has been given the green light and will receive funding of over £1.5 million from the Government’s Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. The restoration of these important sites will benefit people, wildlife, and is another positive step towards combating the climate emergency.
Over four km2 (417 hectares) of precious peatland will be restored thanks to the funding, land which once stretched across the historic county boundary of Lancashire. The project includes 16 sites, spanning from Darwen Moor in Lancashire to Red Moss in Greater Manchester and Colliers Mosses in Merseyside. The project will reconnect fragmented peatland habitats whilst working alongside local urban communities and engaging with volunteers. The sites will also be designed to act as a natural flood mitigator, as well as improving water quality in the area.
It is estimated that the restoration of these sites will secure an estimated 90,000 tonnes of CO2e by 2050. That is the equivalent of taking 22,000 cars off the road for a whole year.