A national park in Devon has received around £3 million in funding to protect natural heritage in the future. Dartmoor has been awarded £3,124,179 in funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A programme to restore nature, protect and enhance Dartmoor’s cultural heritage and enrich people’s understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities has been rolled out by the Dynamic Landscapes partnership. It’s a working partnership between Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Woodland Trust, Sustrans, the RSPB, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Emergency Exit Arts & Flock South West, the Environment Agency, Shallowford Trust, Dartmoor Headwaters Project, South West Water for the South West Peatland Partnership and the Westcountry Rivers Trust.
There will be work on the conversation of river, habitat and species, as well as creative events and engagement activities, support for farmers, training and skills and improving access and active travel opportunities. Okehampton, Ivybridge, and Princetown are slated to become ‘hubs’ for visitors.
It’s hoped that this will allow people from all backgrounds to spend time and money in these places while taking part in events or activities that promote enjoyment and understanding of Dartmoor’s special qualities. Conservation work will advance ongoing woodland, habitat and river restoration, with a focus on the river catchment areas of the Okement, Dart, Erme and Yealm.
Active travel and access will unlock further opportunities for walking and cycling, particularly for children, and giving people the chance to experience amazing views or explore historic remains no matter what their age or ability.
Pamela Woods, Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. There is so much excellent work taking place already on Dartmoor and thanks to National Lottery players, we can continue building on our collective successes.
“We are delivering on our ambitions set out in the Dartmoor Partnership Plan and are making this wonderful National Park better for nature, farming, people, heritage and place.”
Ian Froggatt, Interim South West Regional Director for the Woodland Trust said: “We are looking forward to the many opportunities that this funding will bring. Our focus is on supporting landowners and farmers within the project area, to help them integrate trees on their farm and in restoring their ancient woodlands.
“At the same time, we will be exploring economic opportunities that will make these interventions a viable option beyond the life of this project. We will be building on the excellent work of our volunteer ancient and veteran tree verifiers and recorders who have been surveying the area and recording these on the national Ancient Tree Inventory, so we have a better understanding of how many of these ‘living legends’ are in the landscape.”
Helen Booker, RSPB Senior Conservation Officer, said: “We are delighted that this funding bid has been successful. We are now looking forward to providing more targeted bird conservation advice to Dartmoor farmers and, through involvement of volunteer survey workers, improving our knowledge of Dartmoor’s moorland birds.”
Emma Cocksedge, Behaviour Change and Engagement Project Manager at Sustrans, said: “We are thrilled to be working on this ambitious common goal with our partners. Our aim is to give schoolchildren and their families the skills and confidence to increase their activity levels and connect with Dartmoor’s spectacular landscape by walking, wheeling and cycling.
“When children start their day with exercise, they arrive ready to focus and engage in their school day, and this project will develop a culture of connecting with nature through active travel that will leave a lasting legacy for local families.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Landscapes and nature form the bedrock of our culture and heritage, improving wellbeing, sparking curiosity, and protecting and providing for the community’s surrounding and inhabiting them.
“Nowhere is this truer than in our National Parks. National Lottery players have highlighted natural heritage as especially important to them, which is why we are proud to award a grant to Dartmoor National Park Authority. Funding of £3.124 million will help them realise this ambitious partnership project, which will build natural resilience and increase meaningful connection from those that live in, and visit, this amazing heritage landscape.”
With partner contributions, the total investment in Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes will be around £5.85million. The programme will run until 2030.