England: Grouse Moor Management Praised

Helen Phillips & Edward Bromet

I was pleased to attend a meeting on the Weardale Estate in Co Durham on 16 March, where the progress with the management of moorland, predominantly for grouse, in Northern England was publicly acknowledged.  It was great to hear some good news with Helen Phillips, the Chief Executive of Natural England, openly praising grouse moor management and the positive views being reciprocated by Edward Bromet, the Chairman of the Moorland Association (MA).  The MA's pivotal role in getting 98.8% of moorland in the North East Region of England into 'favourable' or 'unfavourable improving' was applauded and acknowledged.  

If you would like to know more:

• A video of interviews with John Barrett, Moorland Delivery Manager for Natural England, and Martin Gillibrand, Secretary for the Moorland Association can be viewed here. 
• The Moorland Association has published a press release with some quotes and photographs
• Some case studies have been made available to download: Bowes Moor, Howden & Derwent Moors, South Pennine Moors, Weardale Estate

This public acknowledgement of the value of grouse moor management in improving and maintaining moorland in good condition is welcome.  We need to keep reminding ourselves of the role of grouse moor management in keeping our moorlands in vibrant condition for the overall benefit from the services that well managed moorland provides.  Management for grouse is not the only way to achieve this result, but it is very significant and is self-financing.