Border Mires Restoration

The Border Mires in Kielder Forest are a series of active blanket mires, the quality of the vegetation makes these mires the best series in England.

Since 1986 the Forestry Commission has been working with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, English Nature/Natural England, Northumberland National Park Authority and Newcastle University to manage their conservation. In particular the aim has been to re-establish the mires to their original boundaries by removing trees and raising water tables to restore the water table. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Spadeadam became a member in 1998.

Funding had been obtained in the past from the EU and Northumberland National Park. In 2005 the government provided funds to restore more than 600ha of SSSI mires to unfavourable recovering or favourable status. This work involves the removal of uneconomic trees and blocking drainage ditches, within the 2850ha SSSI and is the largest programme of its type in Britain.

Lead partner

Forestry Commission

Other partners

Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Northumberland National Park Authority, University of Newcastle, RAF

Action plans that the project helps to deliver

Blanket Bog

Start date

2006

End date

2008

Funded by

DEFRA

Who to contact for further information

Forestry Commission North East Region
Tel: 01434 220242