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When human activities produce greenhouse gas emissions, around half of these emissions remain in the atmosphere. Although the priority is to reduce these emissions, a combined approach that includes ways of offsetting emissions can significantly help tackle Climate Change. Biodiversity is our strongest natural defense against Climate Change, providing natural carbon sinks and connecting humans to the eco-system that we are forever in debt to.
Biodiversity enables our natural systems to function properly by providing many important services such as soil formation and nutrient recycling, and pollution breakdown and absorption
Trees for example, play an important role in combatting climate change by capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere. The roots of trees help improve soil quality through protection from erosion and aeration. They also increase infiltration of rainwater into the soil, reducing runoff from floods.
HDC's Biodiversity Team:
Huntingdonshire District Council protects and manages the natural environment every day as guardian of 1,534 hectares of green space, 42.8 hectares of woodlands and a managed tree canopy of 400 hectares!
In February 2022, Huntingdonshire District Council was successful in securing a multi-year £1.35 million bid from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Since 2019, HDC has been investing in nature and experimenting with planting of pictorial meadows in parks and open spaces. The project is scaling up to cover all major areas across the District.
Community grants to enable others to enhance their sites. Please see below graphic of where the grants are helping in our district!
Biodiversity audits of strategic HDC sites. HDC will also be providing ecological audits to the successful grant applicants which they'll be able to keep and will provide thorough information on the condition and species on their land and advice on how to improve the biodiversity.
Green Skills Initiatives to provide people to get involved in the biodiversity action and gain a City & Guilds Level 1 qualification.
Avoid peat-based compost or things grown in peat based compost
80% of the UK’s peatlands are now degraded as a direct result of damaging practices such as drainage for agriculture, burning and peat extraction for horticulture.
Using peat-based compost does not enhance the environment, it harms it.
Why do we need to transition from using peat-based compost:
Climate Impact: Peat extraction releases carbon stored within peat bogs as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. These bogs are essential carbon sinks, and disturbing them by harvesting peat undermines their ability to sequester carbon.
Habitat Destruction: Peat extraction damages the wider peatland landscape, affecting habitats for rare wildlife such as swallowtail butterflies, hen harriers, and short-eared owls. It also negatively impacts peat’s ability to prevent flooding and filter water.
Water Supply: A significant portion of the UK’s water supply either lands on or flows through peatlands. Protecting these areas helps maintain water quality and availability.
Biodiversity: Peatlands are rich in plant and wildlife. By avoiding peat-based compost, we can help preserve these unique ecosystems.
Sustainable Alternatives: Peat-free compost options are available and can be used as a substitute. These alternatives are better for the environment and support sustainable gardening practices.
HDC is one of the steering group partners of the project. The restoration of the peatland in the fens plays a major role in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. The peat has become dry and exposed to the elements, and instead of storing and taking up carbon, it is emitted into the atmosphere as CO2, therefore these exposed areas are major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s vital that we restore peatlands to a healthy state to absorb more carbon and keep it locked up in the ground. By blocking the channels that drain peatlands, the water table rises and peat forming plants will return.
Download the iNaturalist app and help keep track of nature at your fingertips! Can work alone or get your family involved! You can learn about nature, connect with experts to help you identify your observations from weeds to butterflies. Follow the 'Huntingdonshire's Complete Biodiversity' project to contribute to local measures of biodiversity!
When human activities produce greenhouse gas emissions, around half of these emissions remain in the atmosphere. Although the priority is to reduce these emissions, a combined approach that includes ways of offsetting emissions can significantly help tackle Climate Change. Biodiversity is our strongest natural defense against Climate Change, providing natural carbon sinks and connecting humans to the eco-system that we are forever in debt to.
Biodiversity enables our natural systems to function properly by providing many important services such as soil formation and nutrient recycling, and pollution breakdown and absorption
Trees for example, play an important role in combatting climate change by capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere. The roots of trees help improve soil quality through protection from erosion and aeration. They also increase infiltration of rainwater into the soil, reducing runoff from floods.
HDC's Biodiversity Team:
Huntingdonshire District Council protects and manages the natural environment every day as guardian of 1,534 hectares of green space, 42.8 hectares of woodlands and a managed tree canopy of 400 hectares!
In February 2022, Huntingdonshire District Council was successful in securing a multi-year £1.35 million bid from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Since 2019, HDC has been investing in nature and experimenting with planting of pictorial meadows in parks and open spaces. The project is scaling up to cover all major areas across the District.
Community grants to enable others to enhance their sites. Please see below graphic of where the grants are helping in our district!
Biodiversity audits of strategic HDC sites. HDC will also be providing ecological audits to the successful grant applicants which they'll be able to keep and will provide thorough information on the condition and species on their land and advice on how to improve the biodiversity.
Green Skills Initiatives to provide people to get involved in the biodiversity action and gain a City & Guilds Level 1 qualification.
Avoid peat-based compost or things grown in peat based compost
80% of the UK’s peatlands are now degraded as a direct result of damaging practices such as drainage for agriculture, burning and peat extraction for horticulture.
Using peat-based compost does not enhance the environment, it harms it.
Why do we need to transition from using peat-based compost:
Climate Impact: Peat extraction releases carbon stored within peat bogs as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. These bogs are essential carbon sinks, and disturbing them by harvesting peat undermines their ability to sequester carbon.
Habitat Destruction: Peat extraction damages the wider peatland landscape, affecting habitats for rare wildlife such as swallowtail butterflies, hen harriers, and short-eared owls. It also negatively impacts peat’s ability to prevent flooding and filter water.
Water Supply: A significant portion of the UK’s water supply either lands on or flows through peatlands. Protecting these areas helps maintain water quality and availability.
Biodiversity: Peatlands are rich in plant and wildlife. By avoiding peat-based compost, we can help preserve these unique ecosystems.
Sustainable Alternatives: Peat-free compost options are available and can be used as a substitute. These alternatives are better for the environment and support sustainable gardening practices.
HDC is one of the steering group partners of the project. The restoration of the peatland in the fens plays a major role in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. The peat has become dry and exposed to the elements, and instead of storing and taking up carbon, it is emitted into the atmosphere as CO2, therefore these exposed areas are major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s vital that we restore peatlands to a healthy state to absorb more carbon and keep it locked up in the ground. By blocking the channels that drain peatlands, the water table rises and peat forming plants will return.
Download the iNaturalist app and help keep track of nature at your fingertips! Can work alone or get your family involved! You can learn about nature, connect with experts to help you identify your observations from weeds to butterflies. Follow the 'Huntingdonshire's Complete Biodiversity' project to contribute to local measures of biodiversity!
