Autumn maintenance: Sustainable Swaledale volunteers removing guards from a young woodland.
Landscape-scale partnership leaves a lasting legacy for nature, farming and communities
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the five-year Tees Swale: Naturally Connected programme came to an end this summer. With more than 200 farmers across Teesdale and Swaledale involved in the programme, the work leaves a legacy of improved habitats, stronger partnerships and people more connected with nature and farming. Highlights include:
- 3961 hectares of land restored or enhanced, including peatland, woodland, grassland and habitat for wading birds:
- 1,607 hectares of peatland under restoration
- 1,841 hectares of wetland and rush habitat improved
- 110 hectares of woodland created, restored and enhanced, and 8km of hedgerows planted
- 18,900 adults and 3,600 young people participating in 388 scheme activities and events
- 450 volunteers dedicated 6700 hours to restore nature and improve habitats
Sustainable Swaledale is also grateful to the programme for its support in setting up several of our ongoing projects, including the annual Together for Trees planting initiative.
Winter reading list ideas: This year’s Wainwright Prize Winners
‘Tis the season to curl up with a good book by the fire, and start compiling your Christmas list, so you might like to take inspiration from this year’s suite of Wainwright Prize Winners. Awarded annually since 2014, The Wainwright Prizes showcase writing that reflects the values of its namesake, Alfred Wainwright, celebrating nature and our environment, nurturing respect for our planet, and informing readers of the threats that the earth currently faces.
This year’s prize winners include: The Book of Birds by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane, (Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House UK); Ancient: Reviving the Woods That Made Britain by Luke Barley (Profile Books); and Otherlands: An Illustrated Journey Through Earth’s Lost Worlds by Thomas Halliday, illustrated by Gavin Scott (Penguin Random House Children’s UK Puffin). View the full list of category winners here
Record breaking year for barn owls reported in the Tees Valley
Volunteers working with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust have ringed 541 barn owl chicks so far this year, more than double last year’s total of 270, and the highest figure ever recorded by the project! Read more here
First annual report of YDNPA local plan looks promising for people and nature
The first Annual Report of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan 2025-30 shows encouraging progress for nature, climate and communities, thanks to the efforts of farmers, businesses, charities, local authorities, community groups and public bodies.
The report shows good progress has been made on 21 of the Plan’s 40 objectives; with a further 13 moving in the right direction. Key achievements include:
- £1.5 million awarded to farm businesses through Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes grant programme, supporting projects delivering benefits for climate, nature, heritage and communities.
- Initial restoration completed on a further 2,275 ha of damaged peatland through the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, helping store carbon, retain water & improve biodiversity. 40 km of hedgerow created or restored since 2022, providing shelter for livestock, a home for wildlife, and storing more carbon.
- More than 120 community groups supported through activities, training and partnership projects.
- Curriculum-based outdoor learning opportunities that enabled over 6,000 young people to connect with nature.
Read the full report here
Ambitious river restoration project kicks off in Coverdale
Work has begun on an ambitious river restoration scheme on the River Cover in Coverdale, which is being carried out as part of the Defra-funded Wildlife Rich Habitat Fund. Led by Professor Jonathan Grey of the Wild Trout Trust, the project builds on work already undertaken by the Trust with funding from the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water. It will restore around three kilometres of river and floodplain habitat, helping to bring natural river processes back to the upper River Cover catchment. Read more here
Yorkshire Water agrees to bring forward works on improving River Swale water quality
Yorkshire Water has agreed to begin work to reduce sewage pollution in the River Swale this November, following pressure from campaigners. The commitment was made at a recent meeting between representatives of Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, campaign group Save Our Swale (SOS), Richmond Mayor Clive World and Judith Harwood, of Richmond Community Interest Company. Works will focus on improving water quality at Richmond’s newly designated bathing water site above Richmond Falls, near the pebble beach, and had previously not been due to start until 2030. Read more here
Radio 4 series with James Rebanks throws the spotlight on Muker
In the Radio 4 series Another Country with James Rebanks, the farmer and writer explores the lives of rural workers in three English villages—including an episode focusing on Muker and Keld. You can listen to it now on BBC Sounds.
The Soil Association explores Agroforestry on Upland Farms
From improving shelter to increasing the bottom line, this video from the Soil Association features three upland farmers talking about the benefits of giving their livestock access to trees and hedgerows. You can watch it now on YouTube.
Free Birds of the Dales webinar led by YDNPA Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer, Ian Court
Hosted by Friends of the Dales, sign up now for this free evening webinar on birds of the Yorkshire Dales, led by Ian Court, Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Ian will take us through the region’s key habitats, highlighting the essential species that rely on the Dales, the current state of local bird populations, and the conservation initiatives underway to protect them. When? Wednesday 11th November 2026; 17:30pm-19:00pm. Book your free ticket here.
Yorkshire Rewilding Network free webinar: Return of the giants, Bluefin tuna to the North Sea with Dr Lucy Hawkes
Join Dr Lucy Hawkes, a physiological ecologist from Exeter University, for a talk about the Atlantic bluefin tuna and other large predators which have recolonised waters off northeast England, and hear how scientific research, such as satellite tagging and heart rate monitoring, can help us to understand and protect these amazing creatures and the marine ecosystem.
When? Wednesday, 11th November 2026; 19:30-20:30. Book your free spot here
Reminder: Potting on at Reeth Community Orchard Apple Day this Saturday
Join us at Apple Day this Saturday 24th October, where we’ll be potting on the bulk of tree nuts and seeds collected by volunteers—ready for germination over winter. There’ll also be the chance to purchase freshly pressed apple juice, browse a variety of apple-based items, and even have a go at pressing your own apples!
When? Reeth Community Orchard, Hudson House; 11:00-15:00.
Watch this space for tree planting and hedge laying opps
Hedge-laying will continue this autumn/winter under the expert tuition of the “Hedge Petes”: Peter B and Peter W, and new hands are most welcome! Plans include returning to Low Houses (to ensure all sections already laid on the Swale Trail are joined up); as well as laying a much younger hedge at Marrick Park. We will also be planting a number of hedges and groves throughout the winter season, including a good number of saplings from our own tree nurseries at Reeth Surgery and St. Mary’s Arkengarthdale. (Thank you to everyone who ensured their survival by watering over the summer!) Volunteer dates for all sessions will be published via our Facebook group and email list in due course.
A big thank you to Rob for doing all the admin needed to make the planting program possible.
Group Meeting
The date of the next group meeting is tbc so as to avoid a clash with bonfire night! Details will be published soon on Facebook/via our mailing list. Thanks.