Sphagnum Moss: From partnership to practical action

Growing Moor is a peatland restoration project funded through the Priority Actions Grant Scheme, which is funded by the Environment Agency and managed by Calderdale Council. This investment is helping to restore valuable upland habitats while supporting the continuation and expansion of the Calderdale Sphagnum Project.

Read about the Calderdale Sphagnum Project case study

This Winter, volunteers will be reintroducing 20,000 sphagnum plug plants to moorland above Cragg Vale. The project is creating opportunities for residents to learn more about climate change, flood resilience, land management and nature recovery.

This week, partners from across Calderdale’s Natural Flood Management Operational Group (NFMOG) rolled up their sleeves to support the Growing Moor Project, helping prepare sphagnum moss plants for this Winter’s restoration work on the district’s moorlands.

If members of the Public would like to get involved with sphagnum planting, which will be taking place from January 2027, information on recruitment will be available here.

Gill Wrigley, Sphagnum Project Officer and Plant Sanctuary Lead at Calderdale Council, explained what was happening at the event and highlighted the importance of the activity:

+ What are the volunteers doing?

Volunteers are harvesting sphagnum moss grown in the polytunnel and preparing it for planting on local moorland.

+ How are they preparing the plants?

Most of the sphagnum moss is packed into sealed bags to keep it moist for planting on the moorland. Volunteers are also counting individual plug plants from sample bags to ensure we meet the grant target of 20,000 plants.

+ What will happen after this work is complete?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll recruit volunteers to help plant 20,000 sphagnum moss plugs across a 13-hectare council-owned site off Turvin Road above Cragg Vale. Planting will take place in winter to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds.

+ What is the process for planting sphagnum moss on the moor?

Before planting, conditions on the moor must be improved by blocking erosion gullies to retain water and cutting vegetation to let more light reach the ground. Sphagnum moss has no roots and absorbs water and nutrients through its surface, so it is planted by making a small hole in the peat and securing the stems in place.

+ How long does it take for sphagnum moss to become established after planting?

Sphagnum moss is planted in small clumps that gradually spread each year. If conditions are suitable, surviving clumps continue to expand and can join together within around 10 years, while existing sphagnum patches on the moor are also expected to grow as the habitat becomes wetter.

+ What impact has the Growing Moor Project had so far, and why is community involvement important?

The Growing Moor Project is already improving conditions for bog plants by retaining more water and reducing competing vegetation. Community involvement is central to this work, giving local people the opportunity to help restore the landscapes that affect them directly. Volunteers have found the experience both empowering and educational.

+ What are the long-term ambitions for peatland restoration in Calderdale?

A 2022 study found that less than 0.05% of Calderdale’s deep peat was in near-natural condition. Working with partners, the aim is to have 80% of Calderdale’s peatlands under a restoration plan by 2030. This work is already underway at sites including Soyland and Bridestones Rewilded.