Precious habitat for wildlife in Exmoor National Park could be restored, thanks to the new ‘Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund’ announced by government this week.
The fund offers new opportunities for farmers and land managers to work with nature across one of England’s most distinctive protected landscapes.
For Exmoor, this investment could help restore and connect a rich mosaic of habitats, including species-rich grassland, wetlands, rivers, streams, floodplains, heathland and woodland, supporting nature recovery while strengthening the resilience of the landscape to climate change.
On Exmoor, habitat restoration will directly support species that depend on healthy, connected landscapes, including the marsh fritillary butterfly and water vole. Work to improve damp, flower-rich grasslands and suitable wetland and riverbank habitat will be vital in helping these threatened species recover and spread.
The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund will support practical action across Exmoor over the next three years, with Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) working alongside farmers, land managers, conservation partners and local communities to deliver projects rooted in local priorities. The fund is separate from and does not affect the farming budget or the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
Land managers interested in applying for Wildlife-Rich Habitat funding can email the ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ team at ENPA at conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Wootton Courtenay 