Our history

Since 2003 we have developed and delivered a landscape scale programme of blanket bog restoration.  We have used more than £50 million to conserve and repair the moors of the Peak District and South Pennines.

Using innovative conservation techniques we have transformed over 35 sq km of black degraded peat in the Peak District National Park, South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation and West Pennine Moors SSSI. We have developed a monitoring programme to provide evidence of the effectiveness of these techniques, and our continually evolving communications aim to inspire people to care for these special places.

Our work is delivered by the Moors for the Future staff team through the Peak District National Park Authority as the lead and accountable body. It is supported through its partners including the Environment Agency, Natural England, National Trust, RSPB, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Pennine Prospects and representatives of the moorland owner and farming community.

Two months after we started work, a huge fire swept across Bleaklow moor, sending plumes of thick smoke across Greater Manchester, forcing Manchester airport to close. The fire burnt 7 hectares of moorland – equivalent of 14 football pitches – killing everything in its path from vegetation to livestock.

This fire epitomised the task ahead and Bleaklow became the focus of the initial restoration works.

Since then, we have undertaken conservation work on a wide range of moorland sites across the Peak District and South Pennines that stretch from Nidderdale to Kinder Scout. Repairing the damage caused by years of industrial pollution results in millions of pounds of value to the public through:

• improved landscape, plants and wildlife
• improvements to water quality
• flood prevention
• carbon storage