Dorset Wildlife Trust are teaming up with the Dorset Peat Partnership and Peat-Fest South-West to host this community engagement event for the young people of Dorset (ideally suited to those aged 12+).

Who says there's no such thing as a FREE LUNCH? Well, at this event there is... FYI - that's for the young people only - soz adults, you'll need to bring your own!

As part of Dorset Heaths week, the aim is to come and learn about the special habitats and species that live on the heath and learn why and how to better care for them.

Join the Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve wardens for a guided wander out on to Upton Heath. You'll also have the opportunity to meet and chat to the teams who help manage the heaths e.g. Dorset Dogs & Firewise.

We’re pleased to be partnering up with RE-PEAT who’ll be running a chilled yet creative workshop session with songwriting, to bring together all the fascinating and interesting things we discover together around what our special heaths have to offer.

CHECK THIS OUT... Some of the material from the event will be put into a wider manifesto to Celebrate Peatlands and their importance... to be presented at COP30!

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Event Format

09:45- 10:00am : Arrive at the Urban Wildlife Centre - We'll kick things off by checking out what's visited the moth trap over night

10:00am : Brief intro from the Upton Heath & RE-PEAT teams

10:15am : Guided Walk on to Upton Heath

12pm : Lunch break back at the Urban Wildlife Centre

1pm : Session 1 - Fun workshop with RE-PEAT, inc. songwriting with Dorset musician Femi Oriogun Williams

2pm : Refreshments & Chill

2:30pm : Session 2 of the workshop

3:30pm : Creative workshop summaries & sharing

4pm : Event ends / The BogBus departs (FYI - this is just a normal bus, with a silly name!)

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Other useful deets...

• Event duration : 6 hours inc lunch & time to chill

• Ideally suited for ages 12+

• Those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult

Date & Time : Wed 30th July ~ 10am-4pm

Location : Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Lane, Corfe Mullen, BH21 3RX

Google Map link

What3Words: ///propose.monitors.wiggling

Join a free creative workshop for 14–19s to explore, celebrate & protect peatlands – part of Peat-Fest South-West at the Avalon Marshes!

Discover the magic of the bog – and become a peatland champion!

Join us for a free, one-day creative workshop all about the unique landscape, stories and wildlife of the Avalon Marshes. As part of Peat Fest South West, this interactive day is designed especially for young people aged 14–19 who want to get stuck into nature, heritage, art and activism.

We’ll walk, observe, draw, write, record and play – all while learning about the peatlands and their incredible role in shaping Somerset's landscape, biodiversity and communities.

What to expect

Morning session (outdoors on Shapwick Heath):

• Guided walk to a peatland restoration site

• Hands-on nature survey using quadrats, ID guides and hand lenses

• Get to know mosses, dragonflies, and hidden wetland wonders

Afternoon session (back at the Avalon Marshes Centre):

• Get creative with poetry and map-making inspired by the bog

• Play dialect games and share local stories

• Help us shape what happens at the Peat Fest celebration on 9 August

And then…

• (Optional) Return to the Avalon Marshes Centre on Saturday 9 August to take part in our public Peat Fest celebration!

• Join in planting a bog garden

• Take part in creative peat-based activities

• Share what you've made and learned

Why come along?

• Make your voice heard about the future of our local landscape

• Learn new creative and environmental skills

• Connect with other young people and local organisations

• Be part of something bigger: help create content for the Peatland Manifesto and take part in the South West Peat Fest celebration

Important info

• This event is outdoors for part of the day – please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes

• Free to attend, but spaces are limited to 20 young people. All materials provided

• Vegetarian lunch and snacks provided (please let us know any dietary needs when booking)

• Accessible options are available for those unable to join the morning walk – join us at lunchtime for the creative afternoon

• Travel bursaries are available for those who would not otherwise be able to attend – just let us know when booking

For more information

Email somersetnnrs@naturalengland.org.uk

About Peat-Fest South-West 2025

This event is hosted by Natural England and Somerset Wildlife Trust, in partnership with RE-PEAT – a youth-led collective changing hearts and minds through a shared love for peatlands and a commitment to protecting them.

It’s part of Peat-Fest South-West, a regional celebration encouraging thousands of people to discover, connect with, and fall in love with our precious peatland landscapes.

The Art and Energy Collective has been awarded funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to collaborate with peatland restoration and cultural organisations across the South West – including the Avalon Marshes Partnership – to bring peatlands to life through art, storytelling and community action.

Organized by

Natural England (Somerset Wetlands NNR)

Join Joe Hampson, Honeygar Wilding Officer, for an exciting day at Honeygar, our first-ever Wilded site!

This unique opportunity will have you carrying out species surveys to track nature's recovery and gain insights into how invertebrate communities are thriving thanks to our wilding approach. Be part of real conservation work, learn new skills, and help us understand the impact of restoring nature. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference!

This session is suitable for those between 14 and 18 years old. We do not expect parents or guardians to attend the session.

There will always be a member of staff or highly trained volunteer and first aider on site.

Join us as we put the species spotlight on the wonderful world of sphagnum moss, a key bog building species, and its vital role in the rehabilitation of the peatlands at Westhay Moor.

Join us and take action in the face of the climate and ecological emergencies

To improve sphagnum coverage on the site we will be planting sphagnum plugs on one of our most recently restored areas. Planting involves finding a spot where conditions look right and planting the sphagnum plug, making sure to pinch the hole snug around the plug so it doesn’t dry out. Whatever the weather is up to on the day, conditions underfoot are likely to be wet and boggy in places - so wellies are advised!

There are no welfare facilities available at our Westhay Moor Reserve, the nearest facilities are at the Avalon Marshes Centre, BA6 9TT.

This session is suitable for those between 16 and 24 years old. We do not expect parents or guardians to attend the session.