Tackling Ash Dieback for the Restoration of our Woodlands
This project is tackling the threat of ash dieback and restoring the ravine woodland of the peak district.
LIFE in the ravines is a five-year partnership
project to restore ravine woodland of European importance
This project focuses on the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
This ambitious, Natural England-led project involves partner organisations sharing resources and expertise, to restore up to 25% of Peak District Dales SAC woodland, seriously damaged by ash dieback.
What is Ash Dieback?
Ash dieback disease, caused by a fungus lethal to ash trees, arrived in the Peak District in 2015.
The Peak District Dales ravine woodlands are dominated by ash, so the habitat could be devastated without intervention. The continued infection of ash threatens all the woodland wildlife, from rare beetles and moths to birds such as redstarts.
Yet, the LIFE in the Ravines partnership is taking steps to protect the Peak District Dales SAC and its ravine woodlands
Our Project
The Life in the Ravines team are using LIFE grant funding to preserve and protect our ravine woodland in the Peak District Dales.
This ambitious, Natural England-led project involves partner organisations sharing resources and expertise, to restore up to 25% of Peak District Dales SAC woodland in danger of being severely degraded by ash dieback.
We hope to influence other projects across the UK and Europe with similar objectives by sharing knowledge and experience.
Measures we Take to Combat Ash Dieback
- Surveying the risk to woodland canopy and prioritising areas highly affected by the disease.
- Maintaining healthy, disease-free ash trees and removing those infected.
Diversifying the woodlands by planting a wide range of native trees to enhance woodland resilience against future disease outbreaks.
- Examining specialist planting techniques, like using drones on steep ravine slopes.
Funding and Partnership
LIFE in the Ravines is funded by the EU LIFE Programme
The project partnership includes Chatsworth Estate, The National Trust, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Testimonials
I’m so pleased that NE and its partners are able to work together to support Nature’s Recovery.
This innovative project will help restore the landscape and wildlife of this much-loved area of the country following the devastation of ash dieback.
That means people who live and visit the Peak District will be able to appreciate the natural beauty of the woodland habitats once again and for generations to come.
Natural England's
CE Marian Spain
Ash woodlands in the White Peak are amongst our most cherished places in the Peak District, providing sanctuary not only for wildlife but people too. Such areas have never been more crucial to our wellbeing and ‘green recovery’ than during the recent months of the pandemic. We will be at the forefront of sustainable and resilient woodlands where there is a very real risk of the landscape picture, we have known for generations being dramatically altered in the years ahead. I’m delighted to see so many partners coming together on such a pioneering approach to nature recovery in the National Park.
Peak District National Park
CEO Phil Mulligan
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Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.