Swarthghyll

Location results

Swarthghyll is our 293ha estate in a stunning location adjacent to the Pennine Way in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. We have restored degraded peatland on the site, and we are working to create a thriving habitat for nature by planting a brand new woodland on the plantable areas.

80000

trees to be planted in 2025

9499

tonnes of carbon validated by the Peatland Code

49.7ha

peatland restored on site by blocking ditches and reprofiling

Location overview

Woodland Creation

Our aim is to plant 45ha of new mixed woodland, diverse in both composition and structure, to create healthy ecosystems and set the stage for future forests bursting with life.

Nature Restoration

We are always working to rejuvenate nature on our sites. Alongside our woodland and peatland work which helps boost biodiversity, we will also be carrying out targeted interventions to further enhance the land. In depth ecological surveys and habitat condition assessments will guide our nature restoration work towards targeted projects such as wetland enhancement, wildflower planting, or pond creation as appropriate.

Peatland Restoration

Previously drained and heavily grazed, the degraded peatland at Swarthghyll has now been restored through ditch blocking, hagg reprofiling and re-vegetating bare peat, safeguarding this precious natural habitat.

Our vision

Over vision is to plant over 45ha of new woodland, using primarily native species. Safeguard the restored peatland and enhance the biodiversity on site with a targeted plan of improvements.

Make an impact

Restoring peatlands in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales

A total of 49.7 hectares of peatland has been successfully restored over a period of approximately 15 months. The restoration process commenced in December 2021 with surveys, followed by planning, funding application, and validation of the peatland code. Contractors were then able to begin their work in October 2022 and successfully completed it by February 2023. This restoration project has resulted in a reduction of 9499 tCO2e over a span of 100 years.

The peatland restoration planning process

Desk-based surveys using aerial images to identify potential restoration features were undertaken; site surveys were conducted to pinpoint drains, haggs and bare peat areas; a full peat depth survey was completed along with ecological and historic environment surveys.

We worked with Yorkshire Peat Partnership to successfully gain funding from Defra’s Nature For Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. The project has been Validated by The Peatland Code verifying the carbon emissions reductions made over the lifetime of the project. We are now beginning comprehensive monitoring of restoration success and the work will be Verified 5 years after site work has finished.

Peatland Restoration, enhancing ecosystems and reducing flood risks

Ditches were blocked with peat dams to stop organic peat eroding into water courses, helping to raise the water table and create conditions for bog-building vegetation such as sphagnum moss to thrive. Eroding peat haggs were re-profiled and re-vegetated. Areas of bare peat were re-vegetated with turf where possible, or covered with brash cut onsite, seeded and plug-planted with cottongrass to stabilise and re-vegetate the bare peat. Peatland restoration and protection is vital to reduce flood risk, enhance ecosystems and help nature thrive.

High-impact naturere storation and carbon removal, with integrity.

At Swarthghyll, we are focused on planting native trees and restoring peatland to remove carbon responsibly. We are enhancing wetlands to reduce flood risks and create a healthy habitats for wildlife.

Make an impact

More Locations

Our team are committed to helping nature to thrive across our twelve unique UK sites. Working at a landscape scale, we're creating new forests, restoring peatlands, creating wildflower meadows, wetlands, and heathland. Through a blend of environmental science and practical knowledge, we establish native woodlands and exceptional habitats teaming with wildlife. Explore our sites and discover the projects.