7 June 2024
Moor House – the home of upland research
AN excellent opportunity to hear from experts on a wide range of upland management topics is being presented by The Heather Trust on Tuesday, June 25th at Moor House National Nature Reserve in Upper Teesdale.
The event is open to all and is shaping up to be a fascinating day of learning and networking on one of England’s largest National Nature Reserves, kindly hosted by Natural England and sponsored by the Joseph Nickerson Charitable Foundation.
Whether you're a moorland enthusiast, a land manager, a conservationist, scientist or simply curious about how our magnificent uplands work, you will be interested in the broad subject range covered by a great line-up of speakers.
The reserve itself is made up of 8,800 hectares and encompasses an almost complete range of upland habitats typical of the North Pennines. It is famous for the rare spring gentian as well as England’s largest juniper wood.
This in-person full-day event will start at The High Force Hotel before heading out to the site visit, returning to the hotel for lunch and a lively discussion on the topics of the day. As well as the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas and expand your network, attendees will benefit from a full agenda which can be viewed on the Trust’s website. Included in the speaker line-up are:
· Rob Marrs - Liverpool University
· Andreas Heinemeyer - University of York
· David Jarrett - Freelance ecologist
· Martin Furness - Natural England
· David Baines - upland researcher
“Moor House is a fascinating site with a long pedigree of varied and relevant research which will be of interest to a wide range of attendees,” said Katrina Candy, Director of The Heather Trust.
“Our expert speakers will share the latest information on topics such as grouse and wader research, heather burning, carbon research, grazing and tree planting, both on the site visit and during afternoon presentations. And we hope the Q&A sessions will spark some lively discussion whilst sharing valuable knowledge.”
In addition, there will be a unique opportunity to participate in a stargazing and dinner experience on the night of Monday 24th June. Enjoy the chance to dine as an informal group, before heading out to High Force Waterfall for an evening of stargazing, led by a local astronomer.
For more information and to book your place, visit: www.heathertrust.co.uk/events
Notes
Moor House is famous for the rare spring gentian as well as England’s largest juniper wood. The rare black grouse also breeds here, as does the golden plover and ring ouzel. Rare arctic-alpine plants, remnants of the ice-age, can be found and there are many species of wading birds such as lapwing, curlew, redshank and golden plover.
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Katrina Candy – katrina.candy@heathertrust.co.uk; 07776 857222
The Heather Trust:
The Heather Trust’s beneficiaries are those that benefit from resilient, sustainable heather moorland and associated environments. In its broadest terms this is the population of Great Britain and its visitors, since well managed moors will provide public goods such as carbon storage, water management – both quality and flood risk management, rich, diverse and unique plant and animal communities, and recreational opportunities which benefit physical and mental wellbeing. It will also provide rural communities with employment opportunities either through direct management of the moorland or in associated industries such as tourism and recreation, which aids community cohesion and resilience, ensuring our much-loved moorlands and uplands continue to be places for people as well as nature.
Thus, The Heather Trust wishes to see sustainable, resilient moorlands for the benefit of everyone.
To help make this vision a reality, our mission is to develop and promote sustainable, resilient moorlands through facilitation and collaboration; engagement and representation; education and demonstration based on research, experience and best practice.