Peatland Survey Contractor (CCaLL)

Tender description

We are seeking Peatland Survey Contractors to provide costings for completion of surveys across peatland habitats within the CCaLL Catchment, located in the Calderdale and Kirklees area. The peatland area within the scope of the CCaLL project is in the region of 7.5k ha, we would be looking to survey around 3k ha of this land, with a focus on prioritised sites (final scope to be agreed). These habitats are not only important for wildlife in the area, and potential flood and wildfire defence, the peatland is also a major carbon store, the area includes predominantly blanket bog, wet and dry heath, mires, flushes, fringing clough woodlands and willow scrub. The moors support wildlife including Curlew, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Short Eared Owl, and include SSSI and SPA designated areas. As part of the long-term Landscape Recovery plan for this area, we require baseline survey information (primarily peat depth and vegetation) to inform potential interventions to the land and provide a basis for future monitoring. The surveys must meet the standards set by DEFRA and detailed in its Landscape Recovery Peatland Field Survey Protocol, which covers suitable methodologies for peatlands and other shallow peat habitats. We anticipate post-contract site visits to take place towards the end of July 2025, with the survey work to be carried out between 1st August 2025, to be completed by 30th November 2025 (factoring in shoot season on shot moors), with the sites specified for detailed surveys to be prioritised.