Installation of sustainable larch leaky barriers on Winder area of Brant Fell. 23 barriers were installed in total, 1600m of footpath subsoiled with earth bunds and 19 timber bars directed water flow from the heavily eroded paths

Dalehead vets demonstrating worm life cycles to commoners

A butterfly and moth focussed project was carried out over three years (2021-2024) with part of the work that involved monitoring a bracken management trial continuing on a voluntary basis after that.

This report aimed to bring together, characterise, and analyse the recovered archaeological evidence from previous digs by cave explorers across Ingleborough common.

Between 2021 and 2024 Our Upland Commons worked on a range of practical projects on common land. These have ‘demonstrated by doing’. We tested new approaches to enhancing public goods across commons - adopting new technologies and new ways of working to engage commoners and owners of common land in delivering wider benefits. These are written up as a series of case studies that can be downloaded here

07/11/2024

Focusing on practical, farmer-led solutions to sheep health issues, The Yorkshire Dales Sheep Health Project was a collaboration between local vets, The Farmer Network and the Foundation for Common Land, and was funded through the "Our Upland Commons" project.

This report documents the results of a historic environment survey as part of a project for proposed peat restoration works under a Natural England PA2 Feasibility study grant. This work focuses on two blocks of moorland on Grassington Moor, Wharfedale, and provides the information required of an Historic Environment Assessment to allow the management of the historic environment within the wider restoration project.

This report provides an overview of the habitat management to increase fritillary numbers and survey results. It is a useful reference document of what to do to improve the quality and extent of breeding habitat for two of the UK’s most threatened and rapidly declining butterflies, the High Brown Fritillary, Fabriciana Adippe and Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Boloria Euphosyne.

A summary of the Healthy Trees for Tomorrow Project which aimed to gain a better understanding of the number, age distribution and health of trees on commons. We are sharing three survey reports from the commons we surveyed, including: Harford and Ugborough Moor (South Dartmoor), Holne Moor (East Dartmoor), Walkhampton Common (West Dartmoor). 

This survey aimed to increase our understanding of Piles Hill Stone Row and peripheral monuments. Discoveries were made during a week-long dig aimed at learning more about the double stone row, the longest of its kind in the UK. Authors: Mark Edwards and Dr Stephen Trick, Substrata, May 2022.

This report outlines the results of a trial to control Molinia (Purple Moor Grass) and increase the abundance of blanket bog species. The trial flattened 5 ha of Molinia dominated blanket bog with low ground pressure diggers.

This management plan looks ahead to managing Hartford and Ugborough Commons over the next 20 or 30 years. The work programme identifies and proposes work to improve the condition of the commons and the public benefits they provide, including the condition required by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the two Premier Archaeological Landscapes (PALs). This management plan is written primarily for the owners of the commons and the farmers whose livestock graze the common. 

These two surveys provide baseline assessments of vegetation communities and the condition of the surrounding habitats. They include management recommendations to restore the mires. Author: Dr Belinda Wheeler