Volunteer to help National Trust remove invasive species from Peak District moor tops. This event will provide a valuable opportunity to give something back to our uplands and at the same time learn a little about moorland conservation and restoration from experienced NT rangers.
Booking a place in advance is essential, see below.
WHY IS THE WORK NECESSARY?
National Trust’s Kinder and High Peak Estate are responsible for some of our highest and most appreciated Peak District moorland. On the fringes of some of these moors are substantial conifer plantations of Sitka Spruce. A consequence of this is that their wind-blown seed spreads over significant distances resulting in a lots of unwanted self-seeding Sitka Spruce trees appearing on these moor tops. These are considered invasive plants in such a sensitive environment and, given their substantial and rapidly increasing numbers, NT would very much welcome our help in pulling some out.
WHAT WILL THE WORK INVOLVE?
Spending around 4 to 5 hours, working as part of a small team, supervised and directed by National Trust staff, walking across pathless moor, pulling out and removing such invasive Sitka spruce plants as we go. Along the way there will be lots to see and talk about with likely plenty of laughs too.
EQUIPMENT/KIT REQUIRED
You will need to bring sturdy walking boots (gaiters recommended) waterproofs, warm layers and hat i.e. all your usual kit for a full day out on the hill. In addition, please bring a personal first aid kit. You will also need a pair of heavy duty (gardening style) gloves. All tools will be supplied by the National Trust.
CATERING/FOOD
No catering is provided so please be sure to bring along sufficient food and drink for a full day working out on the hill.
WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?
Invasive species removal is already taking place so this means the precise removal site will not be selected until closer to the event. However, it is likely to be on the moor tops on one side or another of the Snake Pass, as it crosses between Bleaklow and Kinder Scout, possibly Ashop Moor or Alport Moor, so meeting point will likely be the Birchen Clough lay-by on the A57 Snake Pass road, about one and a half miles east of the summit if approaching from the Glossop end, or two-thirds of a mile west of the Snake Inn if approaching from the Sheffield end:
Nearest postcode: S33 0BJ
OS Grid Ref: SK 10935 91446,
Lat/long 53.41944222096756, -1.835444515838493
We will confirm the meeting point nearer the time.
National Trust will direct us from there up onto the moors and to the removal sites. This will mean some rough, pathless and sometimes boggy moorland walking, both to reach the site and during the work.
WHEN WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE?
The date is Sunday 26th September. We will need to arrive at the appointed car parking place at around 9 am to meet National Trust staff. We’ll be returned to our cars probably no earlier than 4 pm.
WHO CAN TAKE PART
Adults and older children (anyone under 18 may only come if accompanied by a parent or guardian who will must full responsibility for their supervision and welfare throughout). No dogs, sorry!
HOW TO BOOK A PLACE
Please contact BMC volunteer Peter Judd (via peak10roam-bmc@yahoo.co.uk) to let him know you’d like to take part, he will add you to the list and will then contact you much nearer the time with the exact choice of parking location and any other last-minute details.
CANCELLATION PROCEDURE
It's crucial that there are sufficient numbers on the day to make this, likely very popular, event worthwhile for the National Trust, therefore it is vital anyone signing up is serious about attending and takes the trouble to let us know, as well as cancelling their booking, immediately, should they find later they can no longer make it.
ACTIVITY PROVIDER CREDENTIALS
This event is being coordinated by MTA member and BMC volunteer Peter Judd but the activity will be supervised and directed by National Trust High Peak.