Broad objectives for the White Peak
- To maintain, restore and expand semi-natural grasslands
- Address management of scrub and appropriate grazing of daleside grasslands through agri-environment scheme agreements, capital works and innovative approaches to scrub and grazing management
- Quarry restoration, production of habitat creation/restoration guides with species mixes etc.
- Calaminarian grassland management/enhancement/restoration
- Enhancement of grasslands to ensure conservation of all different species groups through HLS, other voluntary and agri-environment scheme agreements and capital works
- To enhance wetland and riparian habitats and species
- Pond restoration for great crested newt and other BAP pond species
- Continuation and Expansion of Water for Wildlife and related projects
- To increase native limestone dales woodland and create linkages in appropriate places
- Build on the work of the previous Ravine WoodLIFE project to secure long-term benefits to those woods
- Limited woodland creation in strategic locations such as dale tops, where opportunities exist
- Hedgerow management for BAP bird species
- To expand the area of limestone heathland
- Land acquisition, influencing agri-environment schemes
Conservation priorities
- To achieve a step change in scrub and grazing management of the dales to address progressive scrubbing-up of open and edge habitats
- To work with landowners and managers to diversify species-poor grasslands into a network of more species-rich habitats, including calaminarian grasslands and hay meadows.
- To restore and maintain a network of ponds for great crested newt and other BAP species.
- Sensitive restoration of quarries and mineral workings for BAP habitats and species.
- To continue and expand projects such as the Water for Wildlife project to enhance biodiversity in rivers, streams and wetland habitats.
Opportunities for additional conservation activity
- Joined up management of sites/reserves owned by BAP partners.
- Targeting of agri-environment schemes for species needs.
- Land acquisition in areas where other mechanisms can’t deliver the desired results, particularly for ‘difficult’ habitats such as limestone heath.
- Management and restoration of hedgerows to support BAP bird species.