“We’re Being Ignored”: Upland Voices Call Out Failing Conservation Policies

Upland communities face significant challenges and have serious concerns regarding moorland management and conservation, often feeling that their traditional ways of life and local expertise are being overlooked in favour of policies that may not be effective or suitable for their landscapes.

The report, ‘The People’s Plan For The Uplands’, contains some valuable insights from upland communities on what their key concerns are:

Decline of Traditional Ways of Living and Associated Impacts

A primary concern for upland residents is the decline of traditional ways of living, cited by 41% of surveyed participants. This concern is intrinsically linked to fears that restrictions on traditional land management practices and field sports will negatively impact the local environment, jobs, businesses, and the sense of community.

Many residents feel a deep connection to the moors and the centuries-old traditional ways of life maintained there. They believe that policies favoring "rewilding" are exacerbating these issues and that their voices are not being heard by policymakers.

Opposition to "Rewilding" and Concerns about Modern Management Practices

A significant majority (75%) of respondents believe that rewilding is not good for the uplands. Concerns include inappropriate tree planting, "over-wetting" of moors, which is perceived to cause dangerous bogs and landslides, and a general belief that rewilding is a modern fad that ignores traditional land management, seen as more effective for preserving biodiversity.

Traditional moorland management practices, such as controlled "cool burning" of heather and predator control, are viewed as essential for the health and sustainability of the uplands. These practices are seen to promote new heather growth for habitat, reduce wildfire risk by removing fuel, and protect rare species.

The cessation of traditional management, such as controlled burning at Lake Vyrnwy due to concerns from water companies, has led to increased fuel loads and may negatively affect biodiversity for species like curlew and golden plover.

Changes in grazing practices, particularly the reduction in sheep numbers, have led to increased fuel loads and an increase in ticks, which carry diseases affecting animals and people. Upland communities criticize conservation organizations like the RSPB for a "laissez-faire approach" to tick management, which makes achieving conservation objectives harder.

Lack of Trust in Government and External Organizations

There is overwhelming distrust of government (97% of surveyed individuals feel politicians do not do enough for rural areas). This stems from a belief that policymakers are not listening to those who live and work in the uplands.

Many people distrust organizations like the RSPB and Natural England, feeling they have not prioritized best practices for moorland management and that their methods have contributed to declines in ground-nesting birds.

For instance, despite significant funding, the RSPB's management at Lake Vyrnwy has seen declines in target red-listed species like curlew and black grouse, raising questions about value for money and effectiveness.

The bureaucracy and delays in funding payments for agri-environment schemes, like the Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS) in Wales, cause frustration among farmers and disincentivize their participation, despite the schemes' potential to support biodiversity. This leads to a perception that efforts by external bodies are "token".

Importance of Local Knowledge and Private Landowners

Upland communities emphasize the need for policymakers to listen more to local people and trust their judgment and expertise gained from a deep connection to the land. They advocate for policies that support traditional moorland management practices.

Private estates and landowners are seen as vital custodians of heather moorland, bringing jobs and investment, and often having a deep understanding of traditional management techniques and scientific research. They are believed to be capable of delivering cost-effective biodiversity benefits.

Concerns about Wildfire Risk

Upland residents are concerned about the increasing risk of wildfires (12% of participants). They believe that practices like "cool burning" reduce this risk by removing dry, older vegetation that acts as fuel.

Regional Fire & Rescue departments acknowledge that allowing heather fuel loads to build up increases wildfire risk and makes their job harder. Gamekeepers, through their constant presence and training, play a crucial role in wildfire prevention and control, often assisting fire services and other organizations.

Economic Viability and Future Threats

The cessation of grouse moor management, which provides significant economic activity and jobs in remote rural areas, could lead to a loss of income for local businesses and communities.

The trend of large companies buying agricultural land for afforestation to offset carbon emissions is a concern, as these companies are unlikely to contribute to the local economy or support the Welsh language and culture in the same way traditional farming communities do.

Low farm incomes in Less Favoured Areas threaten the future of farming and could lead to sales of upland farms to asset management companies, further impacting rural economies and succession.

Conclusion

In summary, upland communities feel their regions are under threat from external policies and approaches that disregard their traditional knowledge, undermine their economic stability, and potentially worsen environmental issues like wildfire risk and tick populations.

They advocate for a more collaborative approach that values their expertise and supports sustainable, integrated moorland management, which they believe provides better environmental outcomes at a lower public cost.

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