18th July 2013
Chairman of the Moorland Association, Robert Benson (centre), shows off grouse moor management as the linchpin to conservation on Grinton Moor, North Yorkshire: Chairman of Natural England, Poul Christensen (left) and Chief Executive, Dave Webster (right).
The Moorland Association hosted a meeting on Grinton Moor with Natural England’s Chair (Poul Christensen) and Chief Executive (David Webster) who wanted to see firsthand the work that goes on to manage England’s spectacular heather moorland, and to understand more about the management that creates the special conditions for grouse and other moorland wildlife.
The meeting emphasised the constructive relationship between the two organisations, founded on a number of positive partnership projects now underway.
For example in the Peak District where heather beetle is a major concern to moorland managers, the Moorland Association, Heather Trust and Natural England are working together to test an experimental approach to dealing with it s impact on heather health.
Research is also being undertaken to investigate whether there are more sustainable alternatives to traditional stone tracks on deep peat.
Dave Webster said ‘It’s important that we work with the moorland community and wider partnerships to find solutions to issues that matter to us all.’
Poul Christensen reflecting on the visit congratulated the MA and its members ‘Moorland owners care for some of England’s most iconic landscapes. We have 75 per cent of Europe’s remaining upland heather moorland here in the UK and careful conservation allows millions of visitors to enjoy exceptional wild places, supporting local jobs and businesses. They are also complex ecosystems that require careful management for sustainable shooting businesses as well a wealth of wildlife. The role of moors in both the water and carbon cycles is vital too.
He acknowledged the very positive contribution that the Association had already made to Natural England’s upland evidence reviews and stressed the importance of continued engagement to find a way of addressing long-standing challenges in moorland management.
Poul also referred to some recent training that had been organised for advisers with a local grouse moor owner which aimed to improve understanding, ‘our advisors have really valued this training. We need to do more of this so that we can continue to learn from each other.’
