A new project to restore species-rich grasslands across the Yorkshire Dales National Park is now underway.
The initiative, known as Jewels of the Dales, is being led by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Two project officers have begun work on a one-year pre-development phase, backed by more than £200,000 in funding. During this period, they will engage with farmers and partner organisations to assess interest, identify priority areas and help shape how the project will operate.
The long-term ambition is to secure further investment to revitalise wildflower populations while supporting traditional, low-input livestock farming across the national park.
Mark Corner, member champion for the natural environment, said the scheme could become a flagship nature recovery project.
He said: “We would like Jewels of the Dales to be our next flagship nature recovery project, where we work with farmers and partners such as Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to protect the biodiversity we still have, and increase it.
“Farmers in National Parks are now being incentivised to practise low-input, or nature-friendly, farming. That’s the context for this project.”
He added the scheme aims to support the production of high-quality food from flower-rich grasslands, while also creating opportunities for people to enjoy and learn more about the Dales’ natural heritage.
Mr Corner thanked National Lottery players for funding the initial phase, adding that the project forms part of a wider ambition to enhance wildlife across the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Jewels of the Dales will sit alongside other conservation initiatives already under way, coordinated through the Yorkshire Dales Biodiversity Forum.
