Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve

“Cumbria Wildlife Trust is thrilled that Foulshaw Moss, one of our flagship nature reserves, will feature in this thought-provoking project. Peatlands are an incredibly important habitat for a whole host of specialist flora and fauna, and have an essential role in the fight against climate change as they store huge amounts of carbon. Foulshaw Moss has undergone ground breaking landscape-scale habitat restoration, techniques of which are now being rolled out across many of the UK’s peatlands. The message of these films is well aligned with our organisation and we believe education and engagement around the importance of peatlands is essential for the long term preservation of these internationally-important sites.” – Paul Waterhouse, Reserves Officer, Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Foulshaw Moss is a rare lowland raised bog—one of the UK’s most threatened habitats. Formed over thousands of years by waterlogged Sphagnum moss, this peatland was heavily damaged in the 1950s by drainage and tree planting. Much of its unique wildlife was lost.

Thanks to over a decade of restoration by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT), the 350-hectare peatland habitat is now a thriving haven once again. Trees have been removed, water levels raised, and specialist bog plants—like cranberry, bog rosemary, and cotton grass—have returned.

Wildlife is coming back too. Ospreys nest here each summer. Rare white-faced darter dragonflies breed in the pools, and birds like snipe, teal, and water rail find shelter in the bog’s hummocks. Adders and red deer also roam the reserve. Boardwalks guide visitors through this special landscape—offering a glimpse into a remarkable conservation success.

This nature reserve was chosen as the site for Peat on Earth’s habitat immersion project. Young poet Matt Sowerby and filmmaker Ben Horrigan (Studio 91 Media) joined CWT’s staff for two day visits to the nature reserve, where they immersed themselves in the landscape—writing poetry and capturing footage. Moved by the environment and the efforts of those protecting it, they created five original spoken word films.

In collaboration with