National Trust races to restore 70% of its degraded peatlands by 2040

A single moor holds the carbon of a million cars. Now, the National Trust is planting moss to heal these ancient, crumbling ecosystems before it's too late.

, and Administrator

2026 April 8 . 5:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a stone bench covered in moss in the woods, surrounded by trees, plants, and dried... — The image shows a stone bench covered in moss in the woods, surrounded by trees, plants, and dried leaves on the ground.

National Trust races to restore 70% of its degraded peatlands by 2040

The National Trust has revealed that 70% of its peatland is in poor condition. To tackle this, the charity has been restoring nearly 6,000 hectares since 2021. One key site, Marsden Moor, holds vast amounts of carbon—equivalent to the yearly emissions of a million cars. Marsden Moor's peat began forming around 10,000 years ago, growing at just 1mm per year. The deepest layers now reach over five metres, storing between one and 1.5 million tons of carbon. In total, the site contains 21 million cubic tons of peat.

To revive the degraded land, the National Trust has set up a sphagnum-moss nursery. This autumn, workers will plant moss plugs across the moor, helping to restore the natural habitat. The charity also aims to reintroduce cotton sedges, which play a vital role in healthy peat ecosystems. The National Trust owns 25,000 hectares of peatland across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its long-term goal is to have all degraded peatlands under restoration by 2040, ensuring these crucial carbon stores are protected for the future.

Restoration efforts at Marsden Moor and other sites are already underway. By planting sphagnum moss and repairing damaged areas, the National Trust hopes to secure the peatlands' role in carbon storage. If successful, these projects could significantly reduce emissions from degraded land.