Introduction
Our precious heather moorland is facing increasing threats, and the people who live and work there are expressing profound concern for their future. This blog post summarises the findings of the "People's Plan for the Uplands" report, delving into the heart of why the uplands matter, the diverse challenges they face, and how we can collectively contribute to safeguarding these landscapes for generations to come.
The Significance of the Uplands
The UK’s moorlands, particularly those in the northern English uplands encompassing areas such as the Peak District, the Forest of Bowland, and the North York Moors, are far more than just scenic destinations. In fact, they are rarer than the rainforests and provide shelter for a number of the country’s most endangered bird species, like the curlew, golden plover, and lapwing.
A Biodiversity Sanctuary: Survey results show that over 60% of participants value the uplands most for their biodiversity. These areas are crucial habitats for a variety of plants and animals.
Community Backbone: The uplands are the lifeblood of many rural communities, providing employment, driving tourist revenue, and instilling a strong sense of identity and overall wellbeing. Many residents feel an unbreakable bond with the moors and the traditional ways of life that have been maintained there for centuries.
Recreation and Well-being: In addition to work, the uplands are also popular for sports, exercise, and a general sense of well-being, with many people reporting that they enjoy birdwatching and field sports, while experiencing the positive social benefits of these activities.
What Concerns the People of the Uplands?
Despite their beauty and crucial role, the uplands and their communities are confronting serious challenges. There's a growing concern about a decline in traditional lifestyles and how that decline is impacting the landscape itself. The survey reveals that residents of the uplands are not just worried about the environment, but they also feel their very way of life is under threat.
Key Concerns Expressed by Upland Residents:
Decline in Traditional Ways of Living: A significant 41% of survey respondents cited this as their primary concern. They often link these traditional practices to the very preservation of the moors.
Loss of Natural Habitats: 22% of those surveyed are concerned about the ongoing loss of natural habitats in the uplands, suggesting a deep worry about ecological degradation.
Threat to Biodiversity: 13% of participants are deeply concerned about the threat to the biodiversity that these regions support.
Rising Wildfire Risks: 12% of participants expressed concern about the increasing risk of wildfires, recognizing the potential devastation they can cause.
These concerns are closely tied to restrictions on traditional land management and field sports. People in the uplands worry that these restrictions will negatively affect the local environment, threaten jobs and businesses, and erode the deep-rooted community spirit.
The Enduring Importance of Traditional Moorland Management
The uplands have been carefully maintained for generations by those who live and work there, with traditional moorland management practices, like controlled heather burning and predator control, viewed by many as critical for conservation.
Cool Heather Burning: This is a carefully controlled technique in which older heather is burned off to promote new growth. This process helps to reduce wildfire risk, creating an ideal habitat for many ground-nesting birds, by removing fuel for the fires.
Predator Control: Managing predator numbers is an important part of protecting vulnerable bird species. This is a traditional method which has proven benefits when carefully implemented.
Gamekeepers as Key Custodians: Moorland managers and gamekeepers are seen by many in these communities as the primary custodians of the uplands, with their work essential for the health of the land and wildlife.
The Benefits of This Traditional Management Approach:
Thriving Bird Populations: Moors managed by gamekeepers often boast healthier populations of ground-nesting birds, with some species as much as 3.5 times more likely to raise their chicks successfully. Gamekeepers’ involvement in moorland management has led to a 10% increase in curlew numbers and a 16% rise in the population of golden plover in a study on the Langholm Moor.
Carbon Sequestration: The peat on UK moorlands stores more carbon than the combined forests of Britain and France, and grouse moors alone hold 44 million tonnes of this carbon. This carbon storage is vital to mitigating climate change.
Peatland Restoration: Over 30,000 hectares of peatland have been restored on grouse moors in recent years, showing private investment in these landscapes can help meet national targets for peatland restoration.
Reduced Wildfire Risk: The practice of cool burning significantly reduces the risk of wildfires, which can release huge quantities of harmful greenhouse gasses.
The Crucial Role of Field Sports
Field sports, such as grouse shooting, are not simply recreational activities; they're a vital part of the upland ecosystem and economy. These activities are seen as crucial to maintaining a balance between the economic, social, and ecological needs of the region.
Economic Driver: Shooting contributes a significant £3.3 billion to the UK economy each year and supports numerous rural businesses. Grouse shooting generates 1,500 full-time jobs and brings £1 million a week in private investment into moor management.
Social Significance: Field sports are a key part of the area's heritage, creating a strong sense of community that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together.
Conservation Link: Those who live in the uplands believe that gamekeepers and field sports are essential for boosting biodiversity and maintaining these landscapes, with many believing that gamekeepers are the primary custodians of the moors.
Why Local Knowledge Is Essential
People in the uplands are increasingly frustrated that their voices are not being heard in policy decisions. An overwhelming 97% of survey participants feel that politicians are not doing enough to support rural communities and protect the countryside. This lack of representation stems from several factors:
Lack of Consultation: Decisions are often made without listening to the people who live and work in the uplands, leading to policies that are out of touch with local realities.
Misguided Policies: Policies are often driven by popular trends or fads rather than sound scientific evidence, which can be counterproductive.
Distrust of Organizations: Many people distrust organizations like the RSPB and Natural England, who they feel have not prioritized the best practices for moorland management. Some feel that these organizations' methods have contributed to a decline in ground nesting birds.
The Concerns Regarding Rewilding
Rewilding initiatives, while often well-intentioned, are often seen as a threat by those who live in the uplands. A large majority of 75% of survey participants believe that rewilding is not beneficial for the uplands. This opposition is rooted in concerns about:
Inappropriate Methods: There is a perception that rewilding efforts often involve the indiscriminate planting of trees in the wrong places and over-wetting of moorlands which causes damage.
Ineffectiveness: People in the uplands believe that rewilding techniques are less effective at preventing wildfires than traditional methods such as controlled burning.
Negative Impacts: Residents worry about the adverse effects of rewilding on existing habitats, local biodiversity, and the established ways of life in the region.
A Call for Change: Amplifying the Voices of the Uplands
The "People’s Plan for the Uplands" report makes several key recommendations for policymakers, aimed at creating a more sustainable future for the English moorlands. These recommendations focus on respecting the knowledge and experiences of the people who live in these regions.
Key Recommendations for Policymakers:
Engage Local Communities: Actively listen to and respect the expertise of the people who live and work in the uplands. Their knowledge is invaluable for effective management of these unique landscapes.
Support Traditional Management: Recognize and promote the benefits of traditional practices that have been proven to work over centuries. Policies should support these practices rather than untested or ineffective approaches.
Value Private Estates: Recognize and support the work of private estates as crucial stewards of the uplands and avoid any measures that could disrupt their ability to manage the land. Private estates bring much needed investment and jobs to these often overlooked regions.
Promote the Benefits of Traditional Moorland Management: The report recommends that policy makers recognize that the uplands are unique landscapes that need to be managed with methods that have worked for generations.
Trust in Local Expertise: Policy makers should trust in the expertise of the people who live and work in the uplands and avoid making decisions based on popular fads.
Ultimately, the people of the uplands are asking to be heard, to have their knowledge respected, and to have their ways of life protected. They know that the long-term health of the moorlands and their communities depends on it.
Conclusion: Securing a Future for the Uplands
The uplands are an integral part of the UK's natural and cultural heritage. By truly listening to and valuing the insights of the people who live and work in these regions, and by supporting traditional, proven methods of land management, we can help ensure that these beautiful landscapes continue to thrive for generations to come. The key to a sustainable future lies in respecting local knowledge, supporting traditional practices, and fostering a collaborative approach to conservation.
By working together, we can protect the uplands and the people who call them home. It's essential to amplify their voices and ensure that their traditions and hard-won knowledge are valued for generations to come. Let's ensure that we secure a sustainable future for the uplands and the communities that depend on them.