The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a project to bring back three rare species once common on the region’s peat bogs: the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket and white-faced darter dragonfly.
These insects rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost due to human activity. LWT has been restoring habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now seeking £20,000 to complete the effort.
“These insects all play vital roles in the peatland ecosystem,” the trust said, noting their importance in pollination, decomposition, and controlling insect populations.
Senior nature recovery officer Dr Matt McMullen added that the species would struggle to recover on their own, but with restored peatlands and public support, they could return to the landscape.
