Farmers recommend new mapping tool

Farmers recommend new mapping tool - Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

‘I saw a dragonfly here last summer,’ said farmer Anthony Bradley next to Mearbeck, which has been fenced off to create a wildlife friendly area (Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority)

Farmers have helped to produce a new interactive map showing the location of important habitats in the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and are encouraging fellow land managers to use it to spot opportunities for new income streams and conservation work.

The mapping tool – named ‘Re:Cover’ – is designed to help people looking to protect, expand and connect habitats such as flower-rich hay meadows, wildlife-rich wetlands and ancient woodlands.

It uses information gathered from surveys every year since 2010 by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, as well as information collected by Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

Re:Cover has been developed by the National Park Authority in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Farming and Land Management Forum

Craven farmer Anthony Bradley, who is a member of the forum, tested the map as it was being developed.

He said: “The Farming and Land Management Forum and the steering group for the National Park Management Plan were keen to have this habitat map. The great thing about the map is that it shows you what you’ve got and the possibilities that can come from that. It’s a really good starting point if you’re thinking of doing some stewardship scheme or other work like that, giving a factual basis for informed discussion.”