Tractors will be on the moors above Stanage Edge during the work
A popular Peak District moor will be getting a haircut to keep in top trim.
The area close to Stanage Edge will have heather cropped by machinery to maintain the health of the moorland.
Moors for the Future, the conservation organisation running the scheme, said walkers, mountain bikers and climbers may come across the tractors pulling the machines during the next three weeks.
The work, in the area from Redmires to Stanedge Pole, is due to start on Sunday.
The heather trimmings will then be used in other parts of the Peak District and South Pennines on eroded areas.
A Moors for the Future spokesperson said: “Good moorland management is essential to these areas that have site of special scientific interest status.
“Heather cutting is used to improve the moors by providing a mosaic that combines vital new growth with more established plants.
“The patchwork of moorland is an important habitat for ground-nesting birds, in particular grouse that feed in the open but need the shelter from older plants to hide from predators.
“The cut patches have the added benefit of reducing the risk of wildfires by acting as a natural fire break.
“Work is carried out in dry settled weather in order to prevent damaging the moorland. The heather is cut as low as possible and will regrow in two to three years.
“Traditionally the moorland patchwork is created by managed burning but the cuttings are given a second lease of life with the cut heather, known as brash, used to cover areas of eroded bare peat.
“The brash forms a protective layer over the peat, helping to protect it from further erosion as well as providing a source of seeds that will germinate and help the moors regain a healthy cover of moorland plants.”
The organisation said the heather brash is cut by machinery pulled by tractors, piled into large bags and loaded onto trailers for transporting to a site for airlifting.
Bags of brash are attached to a helicopter and flown on to the site for treatment, and then spread by hand. Much of the heather from Stanage will be spread on Bleaklow, as part of the MoorLIFE project, one of the largest conservation projects in the UK.
Matt Buckler, conservation works manager, said: “Our contractors will be out in good weather so walkers, climbers and mountain bikers may well come across them.
“This vital work will benefit the moors around Stanage, ensuring they keep their conservation status as well as helping repair damaged peat on Bleaklow, Kinder Scout and other areas.
“If you do see the work in progress please keep within a safe distance of any machinery.
“We try to get the heather cut and transported within a three-week timescale, so please don’t interrupt the contractors unless it’s absolutely necessary. You can find out more about our work by visiting our website or by contacting our Edale office.”
Partners in the MoorLIFE project include the Environment Agency, Natural England, National Trust, Peak District National Park Authority, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water.
