Despite being a destination for many thanks to its beautiful vistas, miles of walking trails and open spaces to enjoy, parts of this protected landscape are in poor ecological health with key habitats missing.   

Now, a pioneering project, led by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, will create nature corridors, make more space for nature and reintroduce lost habitats to halt and reverse the decline of native species with the aim of transforming the Peak District into a ‘Wild Peak’.  

By facilitating natural regeneration and kickstarting natural processes on 24 sites across 1,985ha of land, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust will restore blanket bog to help hold more water back and sequester carbon, create wetlands to distribute water across the landscape and support improvements to a dynamic mosaic of habitats, including new woodlands and woodland edges, acid and calcareous meadows.   

This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.    

Speaking about the funding, Dave Savage, Landscape Recovery Manager for Dark and White Peak at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: 

“We are thrilled that the Wild Peak Programme has been awarded this funding to transform habitats into wildlife rich spaces across the Peak District. Thanks to the Species Survival fund we will be able to kickstart natural processes, tackling habitat loss, protecting ecosystems, and restoring habitats to benefit people and wildlife on a landscape scale.  

“The fund will allow us to support people to take positive actions for nature and deliver habitat intervention in the Wild Peak through community grants of up to £3,000. We will also develop resources to engage local schools with nature recovery, train participants on how to conduct surveys in local greenspaces and create a programme of talks and visits for community groups.  

“It will enable us to continue delivering our strategy for a nature-based economy in the Peak District, through some exciting green finance projects. We will be running webinars and workshops with a focus on green finance and support for landowners to develop a system where they can get paid for providing important ecosystem services.”  

The Species Survival Fund, a partnership between Defra and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, has seen grants of up to £3 million awarded across England for habitat creation and restoration projects to run over the next two years. The fund will create and improve natural habitats, helping Defra to meet their target to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030 (known as 30by30).  

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Defra again to distribute funding for these projects, which will support nature recovery by helping to boost the quality and quantity of wildlife-rich habitats across England.  This partnership will further our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. 

Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said: “The funding awarded today as part our flagship Species Survival Fund will enable local authorities, landowners, farmers, and our protected landscapes organisations to restore nature at scale and provide valuable green jobs in the process.  

“Only by creating bigger and better habitats for wildlife will we be able to halt the alarming decline in species loss. This fund will be a key plank in achieving our legally binding targets to halt species loss and protect 30% land for nature by 2030.” 

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