Rusland Moss NNR
The reserve is at the head of the Rusland Valley and is the northern part of one of the few remaining raised mires (peat bogs) in the country.
County: Cumbria
Main habitats: Peatland
Area: 22 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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Although most NNRs are managed by Natural England, 88 are wholly or partly managed by other bodies approved by Council, under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Rusland Moss NNR is managed by the Lake District National Park Authority.
Though it has suffered past damage from drainage and peat-cutting, the reserve retains peat forming vegetation and has some surrounding fen.
Sphagnum (bog) mosses dominate the uncut areas of the Moss, with purple moorgrass in the cut areas and fen and carr woodland at the edges. Past drainage has enabled trees and rhododendron to colonise the Moss and they are currently being removed from the mire expanse to allow the peat-forming vegetation to recover.
Rare invertebrates found at the site include the large heath butterfly and money spider.
Please note that there are no public rights of way across the reserve and tree stumps, flooded ditches and wet footpaths can make this site hazardous to visit. For more details email Natural England's Cumbria office, or telephone 01539 792800.
Location and access
The reserve is 7 km north of Morecambe Bay, 11 km to the north east of Ulverston. The nearest villages are Rusland, 0.5 km to the north and Rusland Cross, 0.5 km to the east. By car access to the site is via minor roads from the A590, A5084 and A592.
The nearest train station is in Ulverston served by the TransPennine Express.
Bus services from Ulverston along the A590 are provided by Stagecoach.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local villages. There is a Forestry Commission visitor centre in Grizedale, 7 km to the north.
Two public footpaths form the southern boundary of the reserve.
