Forest of Bowland Schoolchildren Explore the Uplands with Let's Learn Moor 2026
Schoolchildren from across the Forest of Bowland took part in an unforgettable outdoor learning experience as part of Let's Learn Moor 2026, the UK's largest upland education initiative, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Hosted at the Abbeystead Estate in the Forest of Bowland, the event welcomed 341 students from 10 schools, who engaged directly with experts in conservation, farming, gamekeeping, land management and emergency response. The hands-on experiences gave young people a unique insight into the people and practices that help to protect and manage the UK's upland landscapes.
Let's Learn Moor is a collaborative educational project, with events facilitated by the Regional Moorland Groups and private estates across northern England and the support of more than 50 partners. The project is overseen by BASC and made possible through BASC's legacy fund.
Image credit: Stuart Boulton
Through immersive outdoor learning, students explore the rich biodiversity and unique habitats of the uplands, gaining first-hand experience of the landscapes they are helping to understand and protect. From peatland ecosystems to moorland wildlife, the programme continues to provide meaningful opportunities for young people from both urban and rural communities.
Since its launch in 2016, Let's Learn Moor has become a flagship countryside education programme, introducing almost 14,000 children to the environmental, cultural and economic importance of the UK's uplands. This year, close to 2,500 children are expected to take part across eight venues, marking a significant milestone in the programme's anniversary year.
Natalie Herd of the Forest of Bowland Moorland Group said: "Let's Learn Moor is a fantastic event, and we're proud to have supported it for a number of years. A tremendous amount of work takes place behind the scenes, and on the day itself, to make it such a success, and that's only possible thanks to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved. It was especially rewarding to welcome new schools this year, with one describing it as 'the best school trip ever'. Feedback like that highlights the real impact the event has on young people and reinforces why it's so important for us to keep supporting it."
Image credit: Stuart Boulton
Curtis Mossop, BASC's Head of Training and Education, said: "This year Let's Learn Moor celebrates ten years of inspiring young people about the wonder of our uplands. It's such a wonderful project, and we are delighted to work alongside the Forest of Bowland Moorland Group to deliver such a memorable experience for children. For many of them, it will be their first visit to a managed moorland. Let's Learn Moor provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from the passionate individuals whose work helps to conserve and manage these precious upland landscapes, while showcasing the important role they play in supporting wildlife, communities and the rural economy."
Anna Hills, Conservation and Engagement Officer at Wyre Rivers Trust, said: "Hidden just beneath the water's surface, a world of riverine wildlife awaits exploration. During the Let's Learn Moor days, pupils joined Wyre Rivers Trust staff in assessing whether the Marshaw Wyre was a healthy tributary of 'good' quality. In teams, students identified freshwater macroinvertebrates such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, known collectively as river flies. River flies are excellent bioindicators of water quality thanks to their sensitivity to pollution.
Let's Learn Moor ensures that young people from a wide range of backgrounds can access high-quality outdoor education experiences that deepen their understanding of conservation, biodiversity and rural land management.
Let's Learn Moor 2026 takes place from Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July across northern England.
For more information about Let's Learn Moor and its impact, visit https://basc.org.uk/lets-learn-moor/