Article
The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song
10 October 2024
PRIMARY SCHOOL pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional wildlife to parts of the Afan and Rhondda Valleys have written and performed a catchy song about the important work.
It’s available on YouTube and can be viewed here:
https://bit.ly/PowerofthePeatbogs
Since the Lost Peatlands Partnership Project funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund began in July 2021, pupils from the Upper Afan Valley and Rhondda Cynon Taff have received outdoor learning experiences in peatland restoration, biodiversity and climate change.
In a songwriting workshop delivered by the project’s Community and Education Officer Sarah Reed, pupils from Cymer Afan, Pen Afan, Croeserw, and Glyncorrwg Primary Schools (NPT) and YGG Ynyswen and Penyrenglyn Primary School (RCT) reflected on the key themes from the project to write the lyrics.
Support was provided by music education business Hot Jam, who developed a backing track from chords put together by pupils. The pupils then performed their song to a background video of photographs documenting their time with the project.
Peatlands in good condition provide a wetland habitat and have the potential to store carbon and lock it away. Peatlands can therefore help address the current nature and climate emergencies.
The Lost Peatlands Partnership Project has had the opportunity to restore previously afforested land in the Upper Afan and Rhondda Fawr Valleys to reestablish peat bog habitats that were once a significant natural heritage feature of the uplands but, through various land use changes, are not as prevalent as they once were. The partnership between Neath Port Talbot Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Natural Resources Wales, Swansea University and Coed Lleol, will have restored around 250 hectares of land within the project area by end of project in February 2025.
Sarah Reed said: “By sharing the song, the project hopes to celebrate the involvement of schools in the project and thank pupils for the enthusiasm they have shown while working with us.
“The song explains why peat bogs are important both as a habitat and to store carbon with the “power” to address the current nature and climate emergencies.
“By sharing the song, we hope to highlight the importance of peat bogs and raise the profile of the restoration of peatlands in the Upper Afan and Rhondda Fawr valleys, which the Lost Peatlands Partnership Project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund has been undertaking.”
Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, added: “Educating and engaging with young people on the benefits of undertaking peatland restoration in upland areas has been one of the successful outcomes of the project with this song no doubt giving them and their families something to remember. Well done to all involved.”