Exmoor Mires Partnership
The focus of the Exmoor Mires Partnership is to 're-wet' the bog following generations of peat-cutting and the creation of drainage ditches which has caused the mires to dry out.
The drying action causes oxidation of exposed peat bogs which releases large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere and has reduced the water-holding capacity of the moors. Drained bogs release Dissolved Organic Carbon (peaty coloured water) into the headwaters, which has to be removed at Drinking water treatment plants.
A 'healthy' bog accumulates carbon and absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere so we have been restoring the uplands of Exmoor through blocking the drainage ditches using sustainable methods, local materials and local contractors to retain water and carbon.
Research undertaken, by the University of Exeter through CREWW, supports the restoration efforts in these landscapes through quantifying the effect of upland restoration on habitat status, water quality and natural flood management.
Why is re-wetting the moors important?
During periods of heavy rainfall, re-wetted peat bogs slow down the run-off of water from land before steadily releasing it. This increased water storage has the effect of reducing the fluctuation of river flows, making flooding less likely, reducing soil erosion and the amount of silt entering rivers.
Learn more about what we do...
Education and outreach
Moorland Classroom
This bespoke suite of online learning and teaching materials has been designed for use both in the classroom and to support amazing outdoor learning experiences in some of Exmoor's special places. They are appropriate for Key Stage 1 to lower Key Stage 3, are cross-curricular and entirely free to use. Head to 'Pinkery' using the link below to learn more about this project and the peat bogs of this particular area https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/learning/the-moorland-classroom
Moorland Indicators of Climate Change Initiative (MICCI)
Set up in 2007 through the Peak District National Park Learning Team based at Losehill Hall this is an innovative project involving secondary school students from across many of the UK's National Parks. Through a series of creative investigations, young people will learn more about our connection with the planet by exploring the role that peat plays in carbon sequestration.
There are a whole series of educational resources available on their website so follow the link.
https://nationalparks.uk/students/micci-project
Education Resources
The Mire restoration areas at Aclands have been designated as educational access areas in Natural England's higher level Environmental Stewardship Scheme. To visit the site with an educational group contact exmoormires@btconnect.com.
Exehead Mires
Download our 'Exehead Mires Leaflet' and take yourself on a self guided walk around the bogs north of Simonsbath. Look out for the old peat cuttings, the delightful bog plants, the restored mires, and hopefully catch a sight of the roaming red deer and Exmoor ponies.
Creating Learning Opportunities in WesterN Somerset (C.L.O.W.N.S):
The delights of the Exmoor bogs are being spread in a unique and innovative way to adults and young children via the 'Creating Learning Opportunities in WesterN Somerset (C.L.O.W.N.S)' via their summer playschemes and Playbus. Have a look at the picture report of this summers playscheme in our Document Library.
UK National Park Peatland resource
This resource gives pupils a unique insight into the hidden beauty and value of these environments to UK society, how they have been damaged, and what we can do to restore and protect them. The resource can be used on its own in the classroom, or in combination with a visit to one of the UK's many peatland National Parks.
To download a teacher's pack and organise a visit to a National Park, visit:
https://nationalparks.uk/students/teachersarea/teaching-resources/act_more-than-just-a-bog
Get involved
There is always plenty of opportunity to get involved with the project such as:
Practical work
Peat and wooden block building on our smaller sites.
Every second Monday of the month the ENPA volunteers go out with the Team to carry out a audit of the ditch blocks and carry out small repair works as required.
We are happy to organise a day out for a Company Environmental Leave day or the likes, so get in touch
Survey and monitoring work
Ditch surveying in the winter, vegetation monitoring in the summer
Education and Events
Help the Mires Team deliver a wide range of educational activities and Events.
Internship/Long term volunteers
For those looking to gain work experience we often have opportunities to work with the project getting involved in a whole range opportunities which range for surveying with the team, working with the PhD students, compiling reports and plans, delivering our education work, communications.
So get in touch and Get Involved!
Project team
Morag Angus - Partnership Manager
Conrad Barrowclough - Project Officer
George Kohler - Restoration Officer
Martin Gillard - Historic Environment Officer
Fiona Wood - Botanical Officer
Also part of the project team are the University of Exeter researchers who are undertaking the water quality, hydrological, greenhouse gas exchange and agricultural monitoring work for the project. They consist of:
Dr David Luscombe
Dr Naomi Gatis
Dr Pia Benaud
Josie Ashe
Useful links
The organisations listed here have links to our work on Exmoor and useful contributions to mire restoration.
Contact us
The Exmoor Mires Partnership has an office in Dulverton above the National Park Centre in the heart of the town.
Address:
7-9 Fore Street
Dulverton
Somerset
TA22 9EX
Telephone: 01398 324491
Email: exmoormires@gmail.com