I am pleased to inform constituents that the Moor to Restore Partnership has been awarded a £247,000 Discovery Grant as part of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. Ministers have always been clear of the need to phase out rotational burning of protected blanket bog to conserve these vulnerable habitats. I have previously spoken to the Defra Secretary, George Eustice, about the wider issue of peatland restoration, as well as having conversations with the Moorland Association and others.
Through the Nature for Climate Fund, the Government is looking to invest over £50 million in peatland restoration, with a target to restore 35,000 hectares, by 2025. The funding with enable preparation for restoration of up to 4,438 hectares of blanket bog across the North York Moors, led by the North York Moors National Park Authority, in collaboration with Palladium Group.
Picture: Recent visit to North York Moors, Credit: Bernard Moss.