Moorland

Thomas Robinson

The moorlands of Nidderdale National Landscape characterise the area, creating a vast and remote landscape. They are internationally important for conservation because of their rich concentration of rare plants and wildlife. Covering nearly half of the National Landscape they support strategically important populations of birds including Curlew, Lapwing, Golden Plover and Red Grouse.

Our moorland habitats encompass blanket bog, dry and wet heath, and upland acid grassland (locally known as grass heath). These primary habitats are interspersed with wetter flushes, punctuated by gill woodland and scrub, and feature scattered areas of calaminarian grassland. Moorland ecosystems provide essential services, including water quality regulation, flood risk mitigation, and carbon sequestration.

Help protect moorland in two simple ways:

Moorlands are a fragile balance of plants, wildlife and birds of international importance. Curlew and Lapwing populations are rapidly decreasing and these birds are endangered. Their nests are on the ground and they need to be protected.

Never light fires or barbecues. Help prevent wildfires by never lighting campfires or barbecues, not discarding cigarettes or matches and taking all your rubbish home.

Keep dogs on leads at all times. Dogs disturb ground nesting birds very easily and are a real danger to chicks. Keeping dogs on short leads helps protect the moor’s endangered birds.

Our work focuses on

Providing farm and land management advice, promoting best practice for moorland management.
Being a partner in the Yorkshire Peat Partnership.
Working in partnership with Yorkshire Water on Beyond Nature Farms.
Working with moorland estates to develop moorland signage focusing on dogs on leads and risk of fire.
Capturing moorland heritage and re-sharing unique memories and experiences that would otherwise be lost over time.