Management Plan - North York Moors National Park

Business and Land Management4.4 Moorland ShootingThe majority of the National Park’s moorland is managedfor grouse. This involves rotational heather burning, ideallycoupled with sheep grazing at appropriate levels, the control ofpredators and management of invasive vegetation, particularlybracken.Moorland management for wild grouse shooting dependslargely on investment by private owners and/or shootingtenants and is an important factor in the maintenance of thelandscape, archaeological remains and a range of moorlandbird species. Income from agri-environment schemes hasrecently become more important.The activity brings significant investment to rural communitiesand in some upland areas has overtaken agriculture as theprimary economic land use. Moorland management for grouseshooting requires the employment of 45 full time keepers andover 560 extra days of work for local contractors 62 . On average130 grouse shooting days are run each year across the NationalPark. On shoot days an average of 23 extra staff are employedon each estate, which amounts to an extra 3,000 work days peryear for local people. Grouse shooting also has an impact onthe wider rural economy through some 340 hotel bed nightsper season and the associated expenditure on eating anddrinking in local establishments.Challenges● Moorland burning can have localised adverse impacts onair quality.● Inappropriate burning of the moorland can have wideradverse impacts on air quality, wildlife, cultural heritage, soilsand water quality as well as visual impacts.● There is likely to be continued pressure for upgrading tracksand other infrastructure. It is important that these changesare carried out only where appropriate and in a sensitiveway to maintain the distinctive quality of the NationalPark’s moorland landscape, biodiversity and the naturalenvironment.In 15 Years Time…Moorland management for grouse shooting continues togenerate income in the rural economy without damaging themoorland environment, wildlife, landscape, heritage and tranquiland remote character of the moors.Management for grouse and sheep requires the maintenanceand in some cases establishment of infrastructure such astracks, grouse butts and boundary walls and fences. Generallythis does not detract from the landscape and environmentalvalue of the moors if it is carried out sensitively and in keepingwith the landscape.62 Figures supplied by the Moorland Association90 www.northyorkmoors.org.uk