For Peat’s Sake: What Next? MBXR Press Release
A series of XR Webinars and Assemblies addressing peatland management, biodiversity, burning and flooding in Bowland, Pendle, Calderdale and similar uplands.
Weds July 8th. 7-8.30pm. Peat:
Si Thomas, Peatland Restoration Officer, Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Thurs July 9th 7-8.30pm. Flooding
Dr Rod Everett. Backsbottom Farm, Roeburndale
Sat July 11th. 1.30-4.30pm. Biodiversity and Land Ownership
Mark Avery (Inglorious)
Guy Shrubsole (Who Owns England?)
People’s Assembly to decide What Next?
To book your place, free with optional donations:Weds.
Sat. https://www.trybooking.co.uk/SVO
‘For Peat’s Sake: What’s Next?‘ is a series of Webinars and Assemblies that aim to inform and energise people interested in taking action together to change the way the upland peatlands across the North of England are managed as part of a response to the climate emergency.
Back in January Morecambe Bay’s local Extinction Rebellion (MBXR) Group carried out a symbolic action, delivering a letter to the Duke of Westminster through his Abbeystead Estate asking him to re-consider using his land for the benefit of all rather than just for grouse-shooting. No reply has been received to date.
This was only one of many actions that have been carried out across the North over recent years. Not enough has changed.
Covid-19 offered an opportunity for pause and reflection whilst also dramatically highlighting the role of the environmental health plays in supporting public health. MBXR Rebels, together with others across the North, have decided its now time to consider next steps. How our uplands are managed is considered a local priority as it brings together a range of interlinked issues that include carbon emissions, biodiversity, burning and flooding, and social justice – the core issues of the climate emergency. For Peat’s Sake: What Next? will explore these issues and identify next steps via a series of interactive talks and a People’s Assembly.
MBXR Rebel Steve Lewis said ‘These online talks are open to everyone and aim to bring us all up to speed with the impact of ecosystem degradation on our doorstep. At the same time we’re bringing together ‘Rebels’ from Clitheroe, Colne, Todmorden and other towns and villages across the North all of whom have been active in drawing attention to the mismanagement of the land eg the disappearance of hen harriers, the increased risk of moorland fires and high streets flooding.’
All are invited to the online sessions where experts on flood management and peat restoration, Rod Everett and Si Thomas, will be joined by national figures like Mark Avery whose book ‘Inglorious’ gives a detailed and engaging account of the illegal persecution of Hen Harriers, not to mention the legal massacre of other raptors and wildlife. Guy Shrubsole’s ‘Who Owns England?’ is an equally detailed and illuminating investigation into the history and justice of land use and ownership of the land we all live on.
The final event on Saturday 11th July will offer a chance to take part in a unique online People’s Assembly. Those gathered will make decisions together about the kinds of actions that need to happen in order to bring about upland management for all, rather than the few who shoot grouse.
‘For Peat’s Sake’ a film of the Abbeystead action made by Lancaster filmmaker Daniel Brereton, will be launched at the event. An online exhibition of connected photography and art will also be published alongside this film premier.
For more info contact: [email protected]
To book free tickets:Weds https://www.trybooking.co.uk/SVM
Thurs https://www.trybooking.co.uk/SVN
Sat https://www.trybooking.co.uk/SVO
Great stuff. The more people that are involved in “Moorland Management for all” rather than the privileged few who shoot our wildlife for fun, very much the better.