Areas identified with potential for peatland restoration from these first initial surveys could be brought into plans for future peatland restoration, with around £2.4m of funding already secured for part of this next phase.

The project is led by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts on behalf of a partnership including City of Doncaster Council, North Lincolnshire Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England.

The peatland soils that conservationists are most keen to survey lie along the River Idle, the River Torne and on lowlands moving north from Idle Valley, to Bawtry, Epworth and Thorne and Hatfield Moors NNR. A map of the area is available below.

Farmers could play an essential part in capturing and locking in carbon – the biggest contributor to a rapidly changing climate as well as creating a richer habitat for wildlife including birds of prey, skylark, rare plants, and pollinating insects that are currently in decline. 

Mike Winstanley, regional manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said:

“There is huge and exciting potential for future lowland peat restoration across the Humberhead Levels but we first need to collect valuable information about the soil, and also plants and insects to help us identify the most appropriate solutions to recover nature.

“We therefore invite landowners and farmers to work with us to discover more about their local landscapes and to better understand how lowland peat restoration may be included in private carbon market finance schemes or future government funding, such as the proposed Environmental Land Management Schemes. It is essential that we work in partnership with farmers and landowners if we are to successfully restore peatlands to capture carbon, produce sustainable crops and improve wildlife habitats.”

The scheme is also supported by City of Doncaster Council who provide match funding and advice.

Richard Smith, Head of Sustainability at City of Doncaster Council, said:

“This information will be vital to assessing how much land within the borough has the potential to be part of plans for future peatland restoration.

“This is a joint partnership initiative across different counties and agencies, demonstrating the importance of joint working when it comes to reducing carbon and improving biodiversity not just locally but regionally and nationally.  I urge all landowners and farmers to come together and work with us on this project which could have long lasting impact going on for generations.”

Ian Mason is an arable and sheep farmer in the Lincolnshire area of the Humberhead Levels, he added;

“I am very interested in finding out more and will be taking part in the survey – carbon capture and enhancing the environment for the wildlife for the next generation is very important, and a lot of good preparatory work has happened so far. These are early days though, there’s more detail to come and surveys can happen while we wait for more information about the next steps. We need public money for public goods and long-term detail from Government for landowners and farmers to make the most of projects like these.”

Site investigations will begin with skilled surveyors carrying out work on foot to measure peat depth, as well as topographical, vegetation surveys and invertebrate surveys to establish a baseline from which to prioritise, monitor and assess any future restoration works.

Landowners and farmers can find out more or register interest for in person events between March 2023

1. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: Helen Norford helen.norford@ywt.org.uk
2. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: Harriet Santon hsanton@lincstrust.co.uk
3. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust: Daniel Lines DLines@nottswt.co.uk