A woolly solution to NI's peatland problems?

A woolly solution to NI's peatland problems?2 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLouise CullenAgriculture and environment correspondent, BBC News NIBBCStephanie Clokey says logs made of local wool are being tested as an "exciting" new way to help preserve peatlands. A unique pilot project in the Antrim hills could give sheep farmers a new market for their wool and help transform peatland conservation.Traditionally, logs made of coir - coconut husk - have been imported from South-East Asia to reduce erosion, hold back water and also re-wet degraded peatland.Now, logs made of local wool are being tested as an "exciting" alternative, said Stephanie Clokey from the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).James Devenney from Ulster Wildlife, which is partnering with the UFU, said hopes are high the logs can deliver a "more local, sustainable and renewable option" that will still be effective in restoring Northern Ireland's highly-degraded peatlands.Cutting carbon in conservationPeatlands restoration manager James Devenney says the time has come to look for alternatives to imported coir logsNorthern Ireland's peatlands are internationally significant, covering 12% of the land.When they are in a healthy state, they play an important role in tackling climate change, locking carbon away in their depths.But the majority - 86% - are in a degraded condition, meaning they emit rather than store carbon.That is why restoration of them is critical.But so far, that conservation can come at a carbon cost.Peatlands play an important role in tackling climate change As the peatlands restoration manager with Ulster Wildlife, Devenney said the time has come to look for alternatives to imported coir logs."Coir is a by-product of coconut. It's a material found in coconut husks and it is imported from Asia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia."And we have been bringing it overseas here which obviously has a significant cost but also importan...