RAF cadets dig in to help nature

Nov 17 2009 by The Journal

A GROUP of 16 helicopter cadets from RAF Cranwell touched down at Holburn Moss to help Northumberland Wildlife Trust with the removal of birch trees and ditch damming.

With environmental challenges becoming increasingly important throughout the UK, the group were keen to offer support to the Trust in its work to protect and preserve Northumberland’s stunning natural habitat.

Following a half-mile walk onto the peat bog and a talk about the ecology and history of the site, the cadets began removing the tress and building dams, using recycled materials, to raise the water levels and restore the peat and its natural condition, thereby improving the quality of the peat bog. The impact of their work will be seen within weeks, which makes it all the more rewarding for them.

Holburn Moss is a peat bog which is an internationally designated wetland site. It supports a variety of bog mosses including heather, cotton grass and cranberry and is used in winter by visiting greylag geese. The site is used by red grouse, oystercatchers and snipe as well as uncommon Large Heath butterflies.