National Lottery funding puts upland farmers at the heart of ground-breaking nature recovery programme

Two of the most outstanding landscapes in the English uplands are set to be connected, restored and enhanced in one of the most significant nature programme to be funded in the UK.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is to fund the £8.5million ‘Tees-Swale: naturally connected’ programme with a grant of £5.7 million for the 5-year scheme, to be led by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Tees-Swale will be the country’s leading example of farmer-focused nature recovery and will centre on two nationally treasured upland landscapes: Upper Teesdale in the North Pennines (AONB); and Upper Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The ambitious programme covers an area of 829 km2, creating a significant nature recovery area in the northern uplands and through mitigating climate change, improving wellbeing and boosting biodiversity will aid the post-Covid19 green recovery of the UK – a proposition that has seen strong support from the British public.

Over its five-year lifespan, Tees-Swale will put farmers and landowners at the heart of nature recovery. The project team has been working closely with farmers in preparation, with over 60 farmers and landowners already committed to carrying out work to benefit people and wildlife in the first two years of the scheme. The partners aim to work with all 300 farmers in the area over the life of the programme.

Chair of the Tees-Swale board is Professor Sir John Lawton: “I fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales and Upper Teesdale in the 1970s, not long after I moved to live in York. It is a wonderful area, so it was a huge privilege to be asked to chair the Board of ‘Tees-Swale: naturally connected’ and to help steer the project during our successful bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The area is a stunning cultural landscape, moulded by human activities for millennia; it is also one of the most biodiverse parts of the English uplands, partly as a result of some of the nature-friendly farming practices that take place there. The programme allows us to build on those practices and put farming at the heart of nature recovery. From a personal perspective the programme allows me to be part of putting into practice the central principles of the Making Space for Nature report which I led ten years ago: nature recovery needs ‘more, bigger, better managed and joined up’ habitats.”

David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The natural assets of the North are world-beating, and the species-rich upland hay meadows and blanket bog that are at the heart of the ‘Tees-Swale: naturally connected’ programme are a superb example of this. We want to ensure that the nature recovery at the heart of projects like this, is connected in with social and economic agendas too, that make sure communities have the best chance of linking in with the nature on their doorsteps. This programme is also really timely at a moment where the partners behind Tees-Swale and many other conservation organisations are coming together through the Nature North consortium to support green recovery at a strategic scale.”

Although in some ways rich in wildlife, even in Teesdale and Swaledale nature is in retreat and the future of these landscapes is uncertain. Tees-Swale seeks to reverse this trend, combining the ‘Lawton principles’ with economically viable farming, for the benefits of people and wildlife. The programme will support farming methods which value and work in harmony with nature, restore at-risk natural heritage, connect priority habitats, and help to reverse the decline in biodiversity, through hay meadow restoration, peatland restoration, river enhancement, wetland creation and woodland creation.

The collaborative approach sees the AONB Partnership and National Park Authority working together across two designated landscapes and involving farmers, landowners, conservation organisations, communities, volunteers and partner organisations. The public benefits delivered will include climate change mitigation, flood-risk management, and tackling biodiversity loss.

An important feature of Tees-Swale will be peer-to-peer learning between farmers and conservation organisations and helping farmers to appreciate the public goods that they manage and provide. The programme aims to help make farmers as ready as they can be to respond to new agri-environment measures, and initiate new, innovative ways of working that can be emulated across the UK to shape future policy.

These are nationally important landscapes and the programme will engage more people in all they have to offer. The Tees-Swale programme will encourage and facilitate visits and activities by schools and by youth and community groups from nearby urban areas, to help them better understand the wildlife, the landscapes, and the lives of the people who live and work here, and above all to enjoy and explore these dales. With agriculture being of great importance to the local economy, the programme’s investment in natural assets will also promote economic benefits for the communities in the area.

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: “The Nature Recovery Network that we are helping to establish across England will deliver benefits for both wildlife and people and this programme is exactly the kind of initiative that will contribute towards it. Work like this helps combat both the climate and Nature crises that are now upon us, while also bringing wellbeing benefits for people.

“At the same time as creating a collection of high-quality and well-connected areas that allow wildlife to thrive and cope with climate change, this project will enhance natural beauty and bring benefits in relation to flood alleviation. Through collaboration with many different groups at a local level we can build the partnerships needed to recover our natural environment, and this is a fantastic example of how to do it.”

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “In developing Tees-Swale we have spent a lot of time really listening to farmers and looking together at the nature-friendly action they can take on their farms. We’re really heartened by the response that we have had from the farming community, and we’re looking forward to working together on this programme. We’re excited by the unprecedented scale of the programme and the range of partners that are coming together to create a nature recovery network across these two dales.

“In everything we do our priorities are nature recovery and engaging people with nature. Tees-Swale provides a great opportunity to do that and we are very grateful for the support we have received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and from Lottery players that has provided such huge help in making this possible.”

Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Neil Heseltine said: I’m really excited about the potential for this project.  There’s never been a more important time to help our farmers to make the transition to producing food in a way that turbo-charges nature recovery as a core part of their business.  It’s also never been more evident how much we need to create opportunities to connect people with nature in our National Landscapes.

“This investment will be a great boost for communities in Swaledale that were so badly affected by the flooding last year.”

-ENDS-

Further information:

North Pennines AONB: Sarah Hudspeth, Communications Lead: 07768 123247 or shudspeth@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

The National Lottery Heritage Fund: Rhianon Davies, Marketing & Communications Manager (North, England): 0161 504 4549 or Rhianon.Davies@heritagefund.org.uk

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority: Andrew Fagg, Media Officer: Andrew.Fagg@yorkshiredales.org.uk or Mark Sadler, Communications Manager: Mark.Sadler@yorkshiredales.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

About the North Pennines

The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.

At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 AONBs (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the AONB Family.

The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the AONB are within the boundaries of five local authorities; the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland, Carlisle City Council and Eden District Council.

The North Pennines AONB Partnership is an alliance of 24 public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the AONB. The work of the Partnership is carried out by its Staff Unit which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events. Funding has been secured for a new programme of activities for 2018 – 2021 that includes new downloadable trails, interactive facilities at Bowlees Visitor Centre and a range of community and school projects.

About The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority was created by the Environment Act in 1995 as an independent body within the framework of local government. It exists to secure for the public good the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment and better understanding of the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park: its landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage. It seeks to do so in ways that also foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of local communities”. The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of county and district councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge.

www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

All of our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan: “Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.” www.yorkshiredalesmanagementplan.org.uk

Tees-Swale: naturally connected – Delivery partners:

Natural England is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, helping to protect England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for the services they provide.

Natural England is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development. The EA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

The Yorkshire Peat Partnership is restoring peatlands in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. We are an umbrella organisation comprising Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Natural England, North York Moors National Park Authority and the Environment Agency. Our goal is to restore and conserve upland peat resources in order to ensure the long-term future of these unique and valuable habitats.

Website: www.yppartnership.org.uk

The Tees Rivers Trust is a charitable organisation committed to improving and conserving the River Tees. Our work is varied and covers the whole of the catchment from Cross Fell to the North Sea. Our key areas of work are research, education and practical habitat improvements. The Trust is also proud to be the host organisation for the Your Tees Catchment Partnership.

Website: www.teesriverstrust.org

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust works to enhance and protect the rivers of the Yorkshire Dales for the benefit of everyone.

Website: www.yorkshiredalesriverstrust.org

The Northern Hill Farming Panel is an initiative created by and for the benefit of hill farmers in northern England. It functions as a farmer-led alliance of hill farmers and is supported by the relevant National Park Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that comprise the Northern upland Chain Local Nature Partnership. The Panel encourages discussion and seeks agreement between Defra, agency staff and farmers that benefit the farming community and the delivery of public benefits.

Website: www.nuclnp.org.uk/northern-hill-farming-panel

The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) is a collaboration between the University of Gloucestershire, the Royal Agricultural University and Hartpury College for the purposes of research, education and knowledge exchange. The CCRI is the largest specialist rural research centre in the UK, working at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment on issues relevant to rural and urban development, in the UK, Europe and further afield.

Website: www.ccri.ac.uk

The Coal Authority is engaged in the mitigation of the impact of years of diffuse pollution from metal mines in the North Pennines AONB and Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-coal-authority

Other partners:

Welcome to Yorkshire is the official tourism agency for Yorkshire, promoting Yorkshire tourism both nationally and internationally.

Website: www.yorkshire.com

Visit County Durham is the tourism management agency for County Durham which works on behalf of businesses and public agencies to support the growth and development of the county’s visitor economy. Visit County Durham has strategic responsibility for tourism and performs the functions of destination management and marketing in the county.

Website: www.visitcountydurham.org

Tees-Swale: naturally connected – Funding partners

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/

The North Pennines AONB Partnership

https://northpennines.org.uk/

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

https://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/

Richmondshire District Council

https://www.richmondshire.gov.uk/

The Environment Agency

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

Yorkshire Water

https://www.yorkshirewater.com/

Northumbrian Water

https://www.nwl.co.uk/

Natural England via the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

https://www.ydmt.org/

In-kind contributions will come from a range of partners including the Tees Rivers Trust, Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency, Visit County Durham and Welcome to Yorkshire.