In January we welcomed 17 Environmental Science A-Level students from Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, who left the classroom for a day out in the Fens. Arriving at Ramsey Heights to meet Laura, Rebekah and Kaitlyn, the students discovered the aims of the Great Fen and the Peatland Progress project, the progress made 25 years in and the positive impacts for people and for wildlife.

As the Great Fen project is a 100-year vision, the students were tasked with looking ahead to the next 25 years through a ‘design your own nature reserve’ activity. Together they considered what habitats they would include, what species might arrive and how their reserve could help mitigate against climate change. It was fantastic to see them applying the knowledge gained from the classroom to discussions on conservation here at the Great Fen.

After lunch, the students jumped back on the minibus to continue their Great Fen tour. Next stop, the Holme Fen posts. Whilst admiring the bright winter's light which shone through the silver birch trees on what felt like a rare day of sunshine, the students were amazed at the extent of peat shrinkage apparent since the columns' installation in 1851. The importance of locking down peat was further highlighted by students measuring their individual height as a way of visualising peat loss vs peat growth. For example, for a student who is 170cm (5ft 7”) it would take 1,700 years for this equivalent depth of peat to grow (under the right conditions). In comparison, it could take just 85 years for the peat to be lost*…. 

*Calculation = peat growth at 1mm per year vs a loss of 1-2cms per year.

The final stop was a visit to the paludiculture beds with plenty of wildlife seen along the way. A fox darted across the path, a herd of Chinese water deer bounded through the fields and a red kite soared above. Upon arrival, the group were greeted by Lorna Parker, Great Fen Project Manager, who shared information about the innovative uses of paludiculture plants (e.g. Typha and sphagnum) and the Trust’s wet-farming trials. The students also considered the habitats which are created through this new system of land management and the ability for the habitat to lock in carbon.

As the sun began to set and the temperatures dropped, it was time to head back to the bus and say goodbye to the students … until next time!

We had a great day welcoming this A-Level group, meeting young people positively engaged in finding solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. We hope many more secondary and higher education groups will visit soon.