Climate Change Puts Historic Askham Bog at Risk

Askham Bog, one of Yorkshire's oldest nature reserves, established in 1946, is under significant threat from climate change, leading to increased drying. This precious site hosts over 800 species of plants and moths, with some dating back over 500 years. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is actively fundraising to protect the bog.

The reserve's peat is drying out more each year, exacerbated by threats like the invasive Himalayan balsam. The Askham Bog Protection Fund seeks donations to create dams, a tilting weir, and new ponds to restore vital water levels for species like great-crested newts.

Manager Dave Powell emphasizes the critical need to rewet the bog, noting its capacity to hold water during floods, thereby aiding flood prevention in York. Dry peat, however, risks releasing stored carbon, highlighting the bog's dual role in water management and climate regulation.

Past efforts to protect Askham Bog have seen success, with plans for 500 homes nearby rejected in 2019 following public objection and support from Sir David Attenborough. The bog, a magnet for naturalists for over two centuries, is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It recently closed for infrastructure upgrades to its boardwalk and accessibility, with reopening planned for summer.