Introduction and Project Overview

Introduction

• The main part of the Graze the Moor project took place on Molland Moor, Exmoor from April 2014 until March 2019. 
• This blog has been set up to provide reports of the findings of the key elements of the project. 
• Links are included to the final report from the project and the detailed reports that cover the component parts of the project. 
• There is a comment facility and any feedback will be very welcome.

Overview 

• Molland Moor covers 681ha (1680 acres) on the southern ridge of Exmoor National Park; it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated as open heathland; a Special Area of Conservation and a Principal Archaeological Landscape.
• Graze the Moor was a 5-year project that ran from April 2014 until March 2019, and it followed a 2-year case study that took place 2012-14.
• The project started with a concern about the steep decline of heather cover. The landowner questioned accepted practice on moorland management and wanted to working with others to explore different management methods.
• Historic land management techniques were considered and new methods were trialled. The project was not afraid to be bold, where it was deemed appropriate.
• The project has highlighted the complexity of moorland management, as a wide range of interdependent issues have to be considered. Usually, there is no standard prescription, and the work has identified many knowledge gaps.
• The importance of the support received from partners cannot be overstated.

Funding

• Funding was provided by: 
• The Exmoor National Park Authority’s Partnership Fund (£48,521), 
• ENPA’s Heart of Exmoor Project (£8,242). 
• Partners contributed in-kind support for the project (original budget £63,950). 
• Local grant making bodies (The Malcolm McEwan Trust and the Badgworthy Trust provided support of £3,150 for specific parts of the project. 
• During the project additional in-kind funding of £17,400 was obtained.

Conclusions

• Collaborative working has allowed: 
• Trust and understanding to develop between the partners. 
• Consensus to be achieved easily about the best approach to adopt for the management of the moor. 
• A flexible approach to be used that has permitted new initiatives to be considered and adopted during the course of the project. 
• The project to deliver a wide range of outcomes. 
• This project to develop Molland Moor as a local centre of excellence, able to demonstrate the benefits that empowering local people can provide.

Further Information

• The Graze the Moor Project Final Report
• Foreword, Introduction, Executive Summary and Overview (Section1)