Wild Peak Appeal
Help restore the missing pieces of the Wild Peak
The Peak District might look like it’s thriving, but the reality is very different. Habitats have broken apart. The peatlands are degraded. Landscapes are fragmented. And the species that once belonged have disappeared.
Together, they complete a beautiful landscape that’s healthier, richer and more resilient. But if we don’t act now, more pieces of this special place could be lost forever.
With your support, we can change this.
If we act now, habitats can be reconnected and restored. We can drive nature’s recovery where it’s needed most – rebuilding healthier eco-systems that support the return of wildlife and benefit the people who connect with it too.
If we don’t, it won’t just be the landscape that suffers. Species like the black grouse, red-backed shrike and maiden pink flower may never thrive on the Derbyshire Moors again.
By restoring and reconnecting fragmented habitats across the Wild Peak, we can drive nature's recovery and build a healthier, richer, and more resilient landscape. Establishing these vital connections helps our countryside adapt to environmental pressures like climate change, creating the right conditions for our missing species to return and thrive once again.
Together, we can restore the missing pieces of the Wild Peak.
Please donate before it's too late!
All public donations received will be unrestricted income, and funds will be used in priority areas.
FAQs
The Peak District is already beautiful. Why does it need restoring?
The Peak District is a stunning landscape, but some of the wildlife and habitats that once made it truly rich and thriving are missing.
Species have disappeared, habitats have become fragmented and some peatlands have become degraded. By restoring these missing pieces, we can help create a healthier, more resilient landscape for both wildlife and people.
Why is the black grouse featured in the appeal?
The black grouse is a symbol of what has been lost from Derbyshire's uplands.
Its disappearance tells us that important habitats and connections have been lost too. Bringing back the conditions that could support black grouse would also help many other species to thrive.
Can farming and nature recovery work together?
Yes. Farmers play an essential role in caring for the Peak District. We work alongside farmers, landowners and local communities to find ways of supporting nature recovery while maintaining sustainable livelihoods and food production.
Isn't rewilding just leaving nature alone?
No. Nature recovery requires careful planning, habitat restoration, monitoring and ongoing management.
It is about helping natural processes recover while working with local people and communities to create healthier habitats for wildlife.
Why not leave the landscape as it is?
Although the Peak District remains beautiful, some habitats are under pressure and wildlife has been lost.
Restoring nature now gives us the opportunity to create a more resilient landscape that can better withstand the challenges of climate change while supporting more wildlife in the future.
Does nature restoration increase wildfire risk?
Healthy peatlands naturally hold water and are less likely to burn.
Much of our peatland restoration work focuses on restoring wet conditions to damaged peatlands, helping them become more resilient to drought and reducing the conditions that allow fires to spread.
What will my donation support?
Your donation will help Derbyshire Wildlife Trust restore and reconnect habitats, support wildlife recovery, work with local communities and help create a more resilient Wild Peak.
The Wild Peak Appeal is part of our wider Wilder 2030 Fund, which aims to raise £4 million to create a Wilder Derbyshire by 2030. Donations are unrestricted, allowing us to direct funding where it can make the greatest difference for nature's recovery.
Why do you need to raise £100,000?
£100,000 represents a meaningful investment in nature's recovery across the Wild Peak. It's an ambitious but achievable target that will help restore habitats, support wildlife and bring us closer to a wilder future.
Why do you need to raise it by 31st October?
Nature is facing unprecedented pressures from habitat loss, climate change and declining wildlife populations. We know that nature recovery cannot wait. The sooner we can restore habitats and reconnect landscapes across the Wild Peak, the sooner wildlife can begin to recover and thrive.
That's why we're asking people to support the appeal now and help us reach £100,000 by 31st October. Together, we can take meaningful action today to create a healthier, more resilient landscape for both people and wildlife.