Read on Twitter
Reading this excellent article from @Dartmoor_AC and the associated discussion on Twitter I can't help but think what a mess we have gotten ourselves into. The current system works for nobody. It doesn't work for farmers and it doesn't work for wildlife. Broken system/landscape. https://twitter.com/Dartmoor_AC/status/1360154396630384644
Farmers have lost grazing land and conservationists have lost wildlife. Birds like curlew, butterflies like marsh fritillary and plants like sundews will have been lost from these mires - now a blanket of molinia and very little else.
I've spent some time (nowhere near as much as Adrian mind!) walking across Dartmoor's mires (and many on Bodmin Moor too). I have seen both ends of the spectrum. I've seen the ecological magic that proper grazing of them brings, they become places brimming with life.
I know many well-meaning conservation groups have tried to forge partnerships in places like Dartmoor. Strategy documents have been produced and visions agreed on. But has it worked? There will be localised success, I have seen it. But at scale?
It strikes me that we need a reset. We need everyone to come together with an open mind to agree a mutually agreed vision. Compromise from all sides will be needed. It is in everyones interests, as I said, the current situation works for nobody.
It could involve more peatland/mire restoration (by the excellent @Exmoor_Mires). ELMS could help, with the brilliant people involved in @DartmoorElms. Will nature recovery networks help? Perhaps. What about rewilders? I'm not sure they know what they want.
It will take bravery from everyone involved. It might even need outside help from other sectors. Farming is tied to other elements of the economy and society and to view it alone is to make mistakes. Holistic efforts may be needed.
It will also likely need investment, both monetary and in terms of people to drive the change needed. I believe it we invest properly in these types of things the outcomes can be amazing. We can't keep on trying to make improvements on tiny budgets.
