ITT Peatland Restoration Contract (Black Mountains)

Scope of Work The appointed contractor will be responsible for the following: A. Site Assessment and Planning Review existing data (e.g. NRW condition assessments, previous restoration plans, GIS habitat maps).

Conduct targeted field surveys to verify conditions and identify restoration opportunities. Prioritise intervention areas based on ecological benefit, hydrological connectivity, and feasibility Produce site-level restoration plans including methods, specifications, costs, and schedules.

Obtain necessary consents and liaise with landowners and graziers to agree works. Plan and be responsible for logistics relating to delivery of works.

Technical Design and Implementation Support Develop method statements and oversee contractors during practical delivery (e.g. re-profiling, drain blocking, sphagnum reintroduction, rewetting). Ensure restoration techniques are compliant with best practice guidance (e.g. IUCN UK Peatland Code).

Provide ecological supervision during works where required. Advise on adaptive management to minimise disturbance and maximise success.

Undertake regular site visits whilst works are in progress, to ensure works comply with specifications and to adjust methods if ground conditions require. Provide a Historic Environment watching brief during works.

Agree intervention sites and the scale of works with the Project Manager and Peatland Technical Working Group, following completion of survey work. Monitoring and Reporting Establish baseline condition metrics (vegetation, hydrology, carbon indicators).

Design and implement a simple monitoring framework aligned with NRW standards, including fixed-point photo surveys using an agreed methodology. Conduct surveys immediately post completion of works, ensuring, with a further 'as completed' survey in Year 2.

Contribute to quarterly and annual progress reports for the Project Manager and funder. Produce a final technical report summarising methods, outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations.

Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration Participate in Project Management Group and Technical Working Group meetings. Support skills development and employment opportunities for local land managers where possible (e.g. training on restoration techniques, monitoring).