Engaging with the public
Peak District Moorland Group
As a group, we enjoy getting out in our local area and beyond, talking to individuals and groups, and having the opportunity to discuss and present modern day moorland management with an emphasis on grouse shooting, whilst not being the main driver for outputs, but rather the catalyst for conservation benefits and environmental wins.
One such event happened recently, it was a joint discussion orchestrated by Moors for the Future White Hall Outdoor Education Centre and ourselves.
There are some major moorland enhancement works going on, on moorland on the outskirts of Buxton. We are reluctant to call it restoration as the moorland is already in incredible condition, as can be seen from the images we took last year on a site visit.
The project is a collaboration with Nestle Water, Harris and Sheldon Group, Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water.
The adjacent moorland to White Hall is privately owned and managed with a long history and emphasis on grouse shooting, it has a fourth generation gamekeeper working on it and isn’t classified as a SSSI, but is involved in other Countryside Stewardship Schemes. It was not a surprise for us to hear MFF wax lyrical about the moor as one of the “best” in the Peak District, many areas are in “state 6” condition (about as good as it gets). Remember this area has a long history of management for grouse - perhaps a little bit different from the narrative from the opponents to grouse shooting who continually say areas such as this are barren, drained mono-cultures and are used as a grouse farm for shooting, with little to no other species present?
An open discussion ensued and friendships and relationships were formed. We are excited in being able to start off on a new chapter with White Hall, hopefully working closely with them in some “managed wilding” opportunities going forward on their own ground too. This will not only have benefits for the local communities but also the 6,000 plus children that come through its doors in giving them a glimpse into moorland sustainability and community resilience, whilst benefiting nature and carbon capture.