Linking Levisham is a flagship Landscape Recovery Project that will restore natural habitats, increase ecosystem resilience and protect biodiversity. It will also seek to create a blueprint for balancing conservation, agriculture and cultural interests in a heavily protected yet working upland environment enjoyed by many.
Based in the North York Moors National Park, the project is looking to enter a long-term agreement with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to transform land management practices over a minimum of 20 years, focusing on linking habitats through natural regeneration, sustainable farming practices, the restoration of natural processes and increasing carbon sequestration.
Project area
Covering an area of 2,800 hectares, the project involves multiple partners, including the North York Moors National Park Authority, Forestry England, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Ministry of Defence, Natural England and local farmers with each contributing to different aspects of landscape and biodiversity management.
Project vision
"A site of national importance for landscape-scale nature recovery and climate resilience within a working landscape rich in cultural and natural heritage."
The project aims to establish an ecologically connected mosaic landscape with varied habitats, including woodland, bog and fen, species rich grassland and diverse moorlands. The project will also develop the story of the place and foster social impact by engaging local communities, volunteers, and educational institutions in citizen science initiatives.
Currently in the development phase (expected to be completed in June 2026), work is underway to gather data and carry out feasibility studies. This evidence will be used to inform proposals for land management, ongoing monitoring and funding.
Project partners
- North York Moors National Park Authority
- Forestry England
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- Ministry of Defence - RAF Fylingdales
- Natural England
- Land Mangers and Licensees
- Historic England
Landscape Recovery
Landscape Recovery is one of Defra’s new Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) alongside Sustainable Farming Incentives and Countryside Stewardship. ELMs have replaced some of the financial support lost through the phasing out of previous schemes. Landscape Recovery is intended to create long term, large-scale, bespoke agreements.
Supporting Dark Skies
Nature recovery never sleeps, and neither does the wildlife that depends on it. Projects like Linking Levisham are helping to restore dark skies for nature and people through community engagement, education, and smarter lighting solutions.
You can get in touch with a member of our team:
Joe Karakousis (Engagement Project Officer)
j.karakousis@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Hannah Kingsbury (Project Manager)
h.kingsbury@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Levisham Estate
At the heart of the project area lies the 1,400 hectare Levisham Estate, owned and managed by the National Park Authority since 1975. Find out more about our work on the Estate.
The Linking Levisham deliverables
As part of the development phase, a suite of plans has been prepared as proposals to Defra to support the long-term delivery of the Linking Levisham scheme. These documents set out how the project intends to manage the landscape, monitor change, engage people, and improve access over the coming decades. Informed by ongoing surveys, feasibility work and stakeholder input, they provide a clear, evidence-based framework for achieving the scheme’s environmental and social ambitions. Together, they form a coordinated proposal for delivering landscape-scale nature recovery and lasting public benefit.
Explore the plans below.
