Caring for the moorland

Despite appearances, the moorland is not a natural landscape and about 5000 years ago was covered by forest. For centuries the moors have been grazed by sheep and today sheep farming and management for grouse shooting continue to maintain the landscape.

Between October and March small patches of heather are burned on an 8 to 15 year cycle to make a mosaic of heather of different heights. This provides habitat suitable for nesting and feeding for birds such as red grouse, golden plover and lapwing with merlin selecting areas left unburnt for longer.

Without controlled burning and grazing, much of this fragile environment would eventually return to woodland with heather being a minor part of the ground flora.

As a manmade landscape it is important that the management of the moorland is appropriate. The National Park Authority works closely with landowners, farmers and organisations to encourage sensitive work practices which benefit landscape, wildlife and farming and provides some bracken control, grants and advice on moorland management.

The National Park Authority co-ordinates moorland research carried out in the North York Moors. You can purchase copies of the Moorland Research Reviews 1990-1995 and 1995-2000 from our Online Shop or download them in our Publications Section.

For more information on moorland management, go to the Learning Zone or see the Moorland Association website.