The Woollenlines project is helping to restore a damaged peat area

A conservation project involving sausages and wool has won an award for its innovation.

Artist Pip Woolf’s Woollenline scheme scooped the £2,000 Park Protector Award.

The project, in the Brecon Beacons, uses lines of wool to protect peat from erosion. Nets are also stuffed with low-grade wool and placed in channels.

These absorb water and release it slowly reducing the erosive power of water.

As the wool lines and sausages break down they provide nutrients to the plants. The project uses pony transport to keep energy use to a minimum.

The award is organised by the Campaign for National Parks.

A CNP spokesperson said: “For 34 years no one had come up with a solution to repair damage caused by fire that had left seven hectares of peat exposed to erosion.

“Pip Woolf stepped in, working with schools, the local community, local farmers and graziers. She laid down 2,700m of felted wool in 300 lines to protect the peat.

“The felt provides a cover for the peat, stabilising it and allowing plants to seed and grow.”

Ms Woolf said: “Hundreds of people helped create the Woollenline, first a single line in 2010 and by 2012 eight more woolly lines.

“I personally feel delighted at the recognition by winning the Park Protector award that will undoubtedly deepen the commitment to grow continuing lines of connection across the uplands of the Brecon Beacons national park.”

The Woollenline was nominated by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, which has supported the project.

Evan Morgan, chair of the authority’s sustainable development fund, said: “We are delighted that Pip has won this award.

“Our staff and members have been really pleased to work with Pip on this innovative project which brought a range of stakeholders together to raise awareness of issues affecting the uplands and finding positive ways to collaboratively take action.

“We very much look forward to working with Pip in the future to take forward these ideas and restore more of our precious peatland resource.”

Four other projects were particularly commended from 18 entries from national parks in England and Wales: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust weekend volunteers; Hay Time meadows conservation in the Yorkshire Dales; the Traditional Estates Craft Apprenticeship project on the North York Moors, and the John Muir Award in Cumbria.

HF Holidays sponsored the award.