Nature Recovery Project starts up in the White Peak

Peak District National Park Authority has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the White Peak Landscape Connections project. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to develop a long-term, large-scale landscape connection programme across the White Peak, which will transform nature recovery, protect our natural and cultural heritage and engage more people with nature.

Development funding of £250,000 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help Peak District National Park Authority progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of up to £10 million at a later date.

The Peak District National Park (PDNP) was the first UK designated National Park and is one of the most accessible UK National Parks. The White Peak area, located in the central and southern areas of the PDNP is home to internationally significant natural heritage and ecology, characterised by limestone plateaus incised by steep sided dales. While the White Peak holds internationally important natural landscape, wildlife-rich habitats are under significant threat due to land-use change, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, and the increasing impact of climate change. Without this funding from the Heritage Fund some of these habitats and the species they support could be lost forever.

Whilst there is a substantial risk to the natural heritage of the White Peak, with intervention there is also a unique opportunity for long-term, transformative nature recovery. Through the creation of nature corridors alongside existing trails, new habitat creation, species recovery programmes and improving conservation of and access to heritage, we can protect our heritage and support nature to thrive, whilst working with landowners to increase the long-term viability of their farm business.

This initial phase of the project will enable development of strong partnerships with stakeholders, farmers, landowners and communities to underpin nature recovery activity in the White Peak. PDNP will be working in partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Chatsworth Estate and other land owners to identify nature recovery opportunities across the White Peak area.

The project will identify barriers which prevent under-served communities from accessing the natural heritage of the White Peak, and develop opportunities for young people and volunteers to participate in landscape-scale nature recovery.

Peak District National Park Authority CEO Phil Mulligan said "We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop strong partnerships and identify priorities for long-term nature recovery work across the White Peak."