Moorland Association
Moorland Association members are passionate in their care for 860,000 acres of heather moorland in England and Wales.
- Moorland Association Submission to the Public Accounts Committee Inquiry on Environmental Regulation 2026 - A Summary: www.moorlandassociation.org/post/moorlan...
- Understanding the Long-Term Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke: www.moorlandassociation.org/post/underst...
- 🦅 Female hen harrier on a grouse moor - courtesy of the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group This footage was filmed recently by a volunteer raptor worker who collaborates with a head gamekeeper and Natural England.
- MPs Grill Defra and Regulators on "Broken" Systems, Bureaucracy, and Risks to Food Production 🚜 On Monday, the Public Accounts Committee questioned figures from Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England following the publication of a critical report. See what was said - link in replies 👇
- 📷 Courtesy of the Northern Pennines Moorland Group. Many wader species will be arriving on the moors very soon. Golden plover, curlew and other wader species often arrive in the farm fields first, keep an eye out for them!
- ⏳ The clock is ticking for the North Pennines. We are at a critical crossroads for the future of this iconic landscape. From biodiversity to local heritage, the stakes couldn't be higher. Read why we need urgent action NOW - link is in replies:
- 🎞️ Courtesy of the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group. Fantastic clip of a big flock of Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) on a keepered moor on the northern edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
- ⚖️ We are appealing the Judicial Review decision on moorland burning. Legal clarity is essential for practical land management, wildfire prevention, and protecting rural livelihoods. Upland conservation must be based on evidence and certainty. Read why we are taking this step - link is in replies.
- 🎞️ Courtesy of the Northern Pennines Moorland Group: Habitat is everything! Grouse have already formed pairs and are usually settled in their territories, although there’s still some movement, especially when there’s snow.
- 🚨 The Health Impact of Wildfire Smoke A major new study reveals the serious long-term health risks associated with wildfire smoke: www.moorlandassociation.org/post/underst...
- The Article That "Doesn't Exist" - Why Defra Must Acknowledge New Science on Burning: www.moorlandassociation.org/post/the-art...
- 🎞️ Courtesy of Schoffel Country. “We do burn some of it so the whole lot doesn’t go up in wildfire...” Geoff Eyre, winner of the Innovation in Conservation category of the 2025 Schöffel Countryside Awards, explains the importance of controlled ‘cool’ burning for the health of the UK’s moorlands.
- 🐑 Upland sheep farming isn't just tradition - it's climate science in action. New research shows how managed grazing protects peatland carbon and prevents wildfires. We need practical, evidence-based land management to save our moors and support rural communities. Find out more, link in replies 👇
- 🎞️ Courtesy of Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group. Watch dramatic footage of a snow rescue carried out by local gamekeeper Lewis and farmer Stephen on 27th January in Swaledale. The pair successfully freed a stranded ambulance responding to a 999 emergency call.
- 🧑⚖️ High Court Ruling Leaves Wildfire Risks Unresolved Watch Moorland Association Chief Executive Andrew Gilruth read a statement following The High Court's decision to refuse permission for the MA to proceed with a judicial review of Defra’s decision to restrict controlled burning of heather.
- 🐦 The Peewit’s Protector: Why Gamekeepers Are the Lifeline for Lapwings Conservation requires boots on the ground. Read the full story - link is in replies 👇
- 🌍 The world is waking up to the reality of wildfire management. From the USA to Australia, nations are returning to controlled burning to prevent megafires. They know that reducing fuel loads saves lives and habitats. The UK must heed these lessons to protect our uplands. Link is in replies 👇
- 🚯 Photo taken recently by the Northern Pennines Moorland Group, showing the mess left by wild campers.
- 🔍 Conservation requires action, not just good intentions. A new Norwegian study argues "leaving nature alone" fails biodiversity. To save ground-nesting birds, we need active stewardship and predator control, not passive observation. Read the full summary of the research - link is in replies 👇
- 🏛️ Westminster Hall debate update: The Government has confirmed its plan to ban snares, but MPs raised valid concerns about unintended consequences. Jim Shannon MP made a strong, evidence-based case for predator control to save songbirds. Read a summary of the debate - link is in replies 👇
- 📧 Our latest newsletter is out now. Join nearly 4,000 gamekeepers, landowners and moorland managers who receive the latest updates every Wednesday. Subscribe free - link is in comments 👇
- Why Summer Water Levels Are Critical for Peatland Carbon New scientific research confirms what many land managers have long known: when it comes to peatland restoration, summer water levels are the deciding factor. Read more - link is in replies 👇
- 🐑 Sheep as Firefighters? The Science Says Yes 🚒 New data confirms that traditional grazing is a critical tool for wildfire safety. 📉 It can reduce fire spread rates by OVER 60% and keeps flame lengths LOW ENOUGH for firefighters to manage. Read more - link is in replies 👇
- 🗞️ Recent media coverage has reported on internal wildfire guidance used by Natural England, including references to staff safety thresholds and the division of responsibility between land managers and fire and rescue services. Read more - link in replies 👇
- Murky days, lifting frost, and signs of spring. 🌱 We’ve had a week of seasonal maintenance and spotting wildlife - from damp dogs to bright fungi - ending with a spectacular sunset over the dale. 🐕🚜🍄 📷 Courtesy of Nidderdale Moorland Group
- Did you know heather moorland is a natural pharmacy for bees? 🐝💊 Research reveals heather nectar contains "callunene" - a natural medicine that protects bumblebees from deadly parasites. Find out more - link is in replies 👇
- Many essential moorland management tasks can only be carried out during the winter months, heather management and predator control are the main tasks at this time of year. Winter work plays a key role in looking after these landscapes for the flora and fauna. 📷 North Pennines Moorland Group.
- ❌ Wildfires: The Answers Parliament Has Yet to Receive New parliamentary questions have revealed a significant gap in how wildfire risks are monitored and assessed by the government. Read the full story - link is in replies 👇
- Did you know 1/3 of UK Sphagnum moss species are found on our moors? From filtering water to feeding Grouse chicks, these tiny plants are giants of the ecosystem. Gamekeepers work year-round to protect these living history sites. 📷Nidderdale Moorland Group
- Interesting piece by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: 🔥 Wildfires burned an area the size of the EU in 2025. Yet, global financial data focuses almost entirely on insured losses in wealthy nations. What about measuring the full impact of disaster? Link to article in replies
- 📈 The Gamekeeper Difference: Why Intensity Matters in Conservation Data from one study shows that full-time gamekeeping led to a 3x increase in wader breeding success. Compare that to less intensive methods? The results speak for themselves. Read more - link is in replies 👇
- 🍄🔥 Nature fighting nature’s fires Interesting piece by The Voice. Dr. Alisha Fuller-Armah has developed a 100% natural wildfire retardant using... mushrooms. 'BlazeBalm' offers a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative to chemical retardants. Read the article - link is in replies
- ❄️ When the snow arrived, play had to stop! Luckily it’s melted quickly, so the kit will be back out in no time doing what it does best, managing vegetation, supporting a wide range of species, and helping reduce wildfire risk. 🌿🔥 Courtesy of Northern Pennines Moorland Group.
