Golspie pupils learn about peatland restoration with jobs expected to open up in the sector
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Golspie High School pupils visited Dalchork Forest, north of Lairg, last month to learn about the science of peatland restoration.
The outing was organised by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and NatureScot with support from Developing Young Workforce (DYW), and was part of a larger project to highlight conservation work as a rural career option.
The 28 pupils involved joined FLS staff to undertake site condition assessments, peat depth surveys and the removal of naturally regenerating non-native trees from rewetted peatland.
FLS peatland programme forester Susan Nicol said: “Peatland restoration is going to be a big element in Scottish conservation work over the next few years.
“It’s also going to be a great opportunity for rural employment because at the moment there aren’t enough people who are trained in doing the work.
“That’s why we got together with NatureScot to develop this pilot project, to introduce pupils to the concept, science and practices of peatland restoration and to explain the types of work available in this field and the skills required to do those jobs.
“We are looking at roll this out to high schools across Caithness and Sutherland. It’s a great way of helping young people become more aware of the opportunities open to them in rural areas.”
Careers in peatland restoration will be the focus of Peatland ACTION input to an industry day to be held at the school shortly.
Becky Shaw, NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION workforce development manager, said: “Restoration in the vast peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland will provide opportunities for people with a wide range of skills – everything from highly-skilled machine operators, to peatland scientists – all of which are involved in reducing carbon emissions and improving biodiversity.”
