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.

Out 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.