Shear genius: How farmers and environmental experts came together to use wool in restoring damaged Co Antrim mountain peatland
An innovative bid to save and restore threatened peatland is under way on a mountain in the Co Antrim hills – and it could turn out to be a ‘woolly’ good idea.
Hardy souls have carted 60 ‘wool logs’ up Slievenanee Mountain, installing them in areas of exposed and eroded blanket bog.
Made from scoured fleece compacted into wool textile sacks, the logs are designed to slow water flow, trap sediment, and support the re-establishment of moss and other vegetation that creates peat.
The hope is that the logs can be used to stimulate the growth of an important part of Ulster’s environment, and is the largest trial of wool logs in Northern Ireland so far.
The peatland restoration project has been organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and Ulster Wildlife, working alongside Sustainable Rope Ltd, Ulster Wool and Ulster University.
Most schemes to restore peat involve importing coir, a fibre extracted from coconuts, which is usually sourced in south-east Asia. Wool has already shown promising results in trials elsewhere in the UK, especially upland sites in Scotland and northern England, and it’s hoped fleece could prove to be a locally-grown solution to the problem of eroded peatlands.
The trial was carried out by nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife, with around 30 volunteers who transported the wool logs by hand across challenging terrain, reaching heights of over 500 meters above sea level.
The Slievenanee site lies within the Antrim Hills Special Protection Area, designated for its upland bird populations and the habitats that support them. Significant weathering and erosion over time have left areas of bare peat where vegetation has struggled to recover naturally, and the introduction of wool logs aims to stabilise these areas to create conditions for peat-forming plants to return.
Ulster Wildlife’s peatland restoration manager, James Devenney, said it is essential to tackle the erosion problem.
“Healthy peatlands are one of our most important natural assets,” he said. “They store carbon, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and provide a home for specialist wildlife.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the farmers on Slievenanee Mountain, and the volunteers for their support in making this project happen. Early indications from the site are encouraging, and we’re excited to monitor how the wool logs perform over the coming months in slowing water movement, stabilising exposed peat and supporting vegetation recovery.”
Organisers say the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between farmers, environmental organisations and industry partners, with Ulster Farmers Union peatlands officer Stephanie Clokey stating: “Wool is a natural, biodegradable material and is a logical solution for peatland management.
“Here we’re helping to rebuild damaged areas by using materials that work with the landscape, while supporting local farmers and adding value to something that has recently often been treated as a waste product rather than a resource."
A blended approach using both wool and coir may also be explored in future trials, combining the additional weight and durability of coir with the sustainability and local sourcing benefits of wool. Findings from the project will help determine whether wool logs could be adopted more widely in peatland restoration across Northern Ireland.