Askham Bog Protection Fund

A five-year commitment to protect, restore and future‑proof one of Yorkshire’s most extraordinary wild places

Askham Bog is a place shaped by water and time. Lying on the edge of York, this ancient peatland has been quietly storing carbon, nurturing rare plants and sheltering wildlife for thousands of years. 

Yet Askham Bog is also fragile. What makes it special, its wetness, its peat, its slow and subtle ecological processes, is exactly what makes it vulnerable in a changing climate. 

This is why Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is launching the Askham Bog Protection Fund: a five‑year commitment to move beyond simply holding the line, and instead unlocking the Bog’s full potential for recovery, resilience and renewal.

From maintenance to recovery

We are at a tipping point. Climate change is accelerating, weather patterns are becoming more extreme, and the margin for inaction is shrinking. At the same time, Askham Bog is showing us what is possible; species returning, water bringing life back to the peat, and a landscape ready to respond if we support it.

Askham Bog is one of the most species‑rich sites in Yorkshire for its size and its plant communities support a remarkable web of life. Support for the Askham Bog Protection Fund is not simply protecting a rare habitat, it is also a commitment to stabilise a climate ally, rediscover lost species, and secure a living legacy at the heart of York.

Holding the water, holding the future

Restoring water levels does more than protect what remains at Askham Bog; it opens the door to its renewal. As part of our plans over the next five years, we hope to be able to conduct scientific surveys and install a range of key pieces of conservation infrastructure to better regulate Askham Bog’s complex water table and peaty foundations. 

Surveys grounded in science

Surveys are crucial for understanding and managing our wild habitats and are a vital part of our conservation toolkit in assessing the impact of climate change. The Askham Bog Protection Fund will aim to support a series of hydrological and peat surveys to better understand the quality, condition and composition of the underlying ecology deep within the foundations of Askham Bog.

Grounded in data and evidence, these surveys will inform how best to approach putting this precious reserve into a state of stable recovery over the coming years. Ongoing monitoring will allow us to futureproof our conservation methods and allow us to adapt to changes in climate and unforeseen challenges.

Dams

Dams act as blocks that are used both to slow the flow of water and to create pools, trapping water and slowly releasing it back into the surrounding environment. Installing a series of well-placed dams across Askham Bog will allow us to more effectively maintain its precarious water levels and to keep this rare habitat wet. In a perfectly condition bog, hundreds of specialised species will be able to thrive, from slender sedges to water violets. 

Tilting weir 

A tilting weir is a movable structure which pivots to raise or lower water levels and regulate water flow. It allows for precise control for flood management, enhanced habitat regulation, and improved management for irrigation. This sophisticated piece of technology could mean we are able to more effectively control the boggy conditions at the reserve to best suit the seasonal needs of precious resident species. 

A place for people as well as wildlife

Askham Bog has long been a place of community, discovery, and inspiration. We want to ensure that the reserve remains accessible and engaging for many years to come.

Once the essential conservation work has been completed, we also hope that the Askham Bog Protection Fund can be used to support new engagement and education projects. These may include features such as dipping platforms across the site, creating new opportunities for learning, exploration, and continued connection with nature.