Alana’s voice: Peat-Fest South-West celebration
Our Peat-Fest South-West celebration event saw young people from across the region travel to Plymouth to join in with peat themed exhibitions, stories, songs, music and dancing.
We first met Alana at Crowdy Lake, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall where she was volunteering at our Peat-Fest South-West event for the South West Peatland Partnership. Here she shares her experience of the Peat-Fest South-West celebration event at Market Hall in Plymouth and the wider Peat-Fest project.
Alana (left) with Rachael from RE-PEAT at the Peat-Fest South-West event at Market Hall, Plymouth. Credit Jim Wileman / Peat-Fest South-West
“I often find that people don’t form a connection with peatlands because they have not had a memorable hands-on experience. As I remember the bogs I’ve actually stepped into where I’ve sunk a boot (deliberate or not) not the ones I’ve just merely walked past. When people avoid bogs or overlook them, they miss the chance to engage with them directly, and that lack of physical contact has led to a lack of connection.
This project has created personal connections to peatlands by bridging the gap between people and this ecosystem. Through creative expression of moss, both real and pompom, these bogs were brought to life. And deeper understanding of the importance of the soils beneath their feet was fostered.
On the day they used microscopes and hand lenses to allow people to view the sphagnum mosses up close. This gave people an insight into the fascinating world held within mosses and I believe helped some gain a new perspective on the life found in peatlands.
The understanding of the layers of years of life involved in peats formation and the importance of everyone contributing to their protection could not be better expressed to such a diverse demographic than through this hands-on art piece. The Mossy Carpet perfectly displayed the inspiring impact every small action adding up.
This day inspired and educated people on the importance of peatland, this will hopefully lead more people actively engaging with conservation projects and advocating for policy change.”
Alana Boughton-Reynolds is currently studying for a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science at University of Plymouth.
