Healthy peatlands are known to provide a number of important biodiversity and environmental benefits but can also deliver significant social benefits. However, many peatlands have been severely degraded and can only recover through large-scale restoration projects. Thorne and Hatfield Moors, collectively known as the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve (NNR) in South Yorkshire, is currently the focus of a major EU LIFE+ funded project coordinated by Natural England to restore the peat bog. The EU funding will also be used to assess the social impact of the restoration work on the Moors. To do this, Natural England will be working closely with Hannah Curzon (on the right), a social scientist from the University of York who is developing novel methods to understand the social value of the Moors as part of her research. Hannah will engage with local people and visitors to the Moors to evaluate the wide range of ways people benefit from this environment.
To achieve these aims it is vital for local people to share their views and experiences of the Moors and what aspects of the NNR they value, be it for recreation, cultural heritage, wildlife, aesthetic beauty or something else. Whether or not you use the Moors regularly, you are invited to complete a short survey online, please follow the link below:
https://york.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ebXpX0I55Jcv3Df
All participants will be given the opportunity to enter into a prize draw for a chance to win £100 of Argos vouchers.
The purpose of the survey is to help us find out how you use the Moors, what activities you do, what you enjoy and what is important to you about your visits. The results of the survey will be used to help us understand the importance of the Moors to local people and the wider community. All answers are anonymous and will only be used for the purposes of this research. Participants must be 16 or over.
Hannah will also be conducting a series of personal interviews and workshops with both specialists and members of the local community which will be used to gain a deeper understanding of people’s perspectives and preferences surrounding the Moors. If you are interested in getting involved in these additional activities and sharing your views about the Moors with Hannah, please provide your contact details at the end of the survey or contact Hannah directly.
Please note, questionnaires must be received by post or submitted online by the 1st June 2016 to be entered into the prize draw. Surveys received after this date will still be recorded but will not included in the prize draw. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly. All contact information provided will remain strictly confidential and will only be used for the purposes of this research.
Good luck!
Email Hannah: hfc501@york.ac.uk
