Dartmoor farmers invited to shape future of moorland management

Farmers, landowners and conservation groups on Dartmoor are being asked to help shape new plans for how the moor is managed in the years ahead.

The Dartmoor Land Use Management Group is holding a meeting at the Two Bridges Hotel on Tuesday, November 4, to gather views on future approaches to grazing, conservation and land use across the National Park.

The group was set up earlier this year following the 2023 Fursdon Review into the management of Dartmoor’s commons. 

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It brings together farmers, landowners, government agencies and environmental bodies, and reports directly to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Chaired by Phil Stocker, The Dartmoor Land Use Management Group aims to balance viable livestock farming with nature recovery, heritage protection, wildfire prevention and climate resilience.

The Moorlander contacted The Dartmoor Land Use Management Group for comment, but did not receive a reply. 

At the November meeting, members will outline how they plan to move from discussion to practical trials on the ground. 

They are seeking farms and commons to test different grazing and vegetation management approaches, including how to control dominant species such as molinia, bracken and gorse in ways that support both graziers and biodiversity.

Funding and management support will be available for landowners taking part in the trials, with Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency involved to ensure the work aligns with existing environmental schemes.

The event is open to Dartmoor farmers and commoners who want to share their experience or take part in shaping the future direction of land management on the moor.

The group says this marks a shift from consultation to action, with the aim of ensuring that farming remains a central part of Dartmoor’s landscape while delivering wider environmental benefits.