Caring for the farmed land

Farmed land covers 40% of the National Park and its past and present management has a major influence on the wildlife, landscape and heritage of the Park.

The Authority helps to care for the farmed land in the National Park by working with the farmers and landowners and by providing advice and grants to encourage farming which will meet the National Park objectives.

For the last fifteen years the Authority has operated the pioneering North York Moors Farm Scheme in the central dales, which rewards farmers for carrying out work which benefits the environment.

The team of farm conservation staff and specialists in ecology, trees and woodlands, archaeology, traditional buildings and access offers an advice service that matches particular land management needs and puts farmers and land managers in touch with other specialists, contractors and/or volunteer groups.

The National Park Authority also contributes to regional, national and european policy development. For example the recent development of "Environmental Stewardship" ensures the Scheme is suitable for farms in the North York Moors.