Marcus Travers and Kate Hiseman, from Anglian Ruskin University, ARU, invited us to meet some of their students studying Environmental Management at this incredible ancient site.
The history of the Site of Special Scientific Interest goes back over 2,000 years. Castor Hanglands wood is thought to have existed for over 1,000 years: the woodland in Castor is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1087), and the name ‘hangra’ is Old English for a wood on a hill. The woods later became part of the Mediaeval hunting Forest of Nassaburgh.
In parts of the reserve, the water table lies just below ground level, making the land boggy and waterlogged for much of the year.
By rewetting lowland peat soils, we can deliver carbon emission reductions, improve food security, boost wetland biodiversity, and better protect communities from flooding.
ARU is know for its sheer can-do attitude and is the only UK university to be named a global 'rising star'.
This exciting visit to the students are ARU was part of the delivery of our Paludiculture Exploration Fund grant, which was awarded by Natural England and funded by DEFRA.
AutoSpray systems, members of the Drone RePeat Project, are looking at the ways drone technology can help in the restoration of our valuable peatland resources.