2 Minute Read
Written by Joe Dimbleby
When those who call for an end to grouse moors are asked what they would replace it with, they often offer vague fantasies, which go unchallenged in the public sphere. There are no simple solutions to managing our uplands but, in the race to address the current ecological emergency, some are suggesting there are. It is time to question their assumptions.
In some places, there is no need to make an assumption. The GWCT is planning a series of case studies based on personal testimonies to compare existing grouse moors with alternative land uses such as sheep grazing, commercial forestry, rewilding/natural regen. All these have their place, but to deny there are potential downsides in abandoning grouse management is false and risks significant ecological loss.
Since the second world war, 20% of UK heather moorland has been lost to commercial coniferous plantations and even greater areas to overgrazing due to CAP incentives. It’s important to remember that the enduring commitment to grouse management prevented an even greater area from disappearing. More positively, adaptive grouse management has been shown to provide the ideal approach to actively conserving the internationally important habitats and species for which many of our uplands are designated.
Rather than something that should be abandoned in the face of the environmental crisis, it should be celebrated as an integrated solution to land use that not only continues to preserve our precious heather moorland, but offers a way of restoring what has been lost.
There is plenty of scientific evidence to support these facts, but often it is conveniently ignored by those who would like to see an end to driven grouse shooting. So we would like to hear from anyone who has seen the loss of heather moorland first hand and witnessed the environmental and economic impacts of change of use, both good and bad.
You might be a current or retired gamekeeper, estate manager, an ecologist, birdwatcher, local historian, retired school teacher or simply an interested member of the local community, who can remember the change yourself or the memories of parents or grandparents. We are looking for examples of:
- Outstanding upland sites (driven grouse moors or otherwise) for seeing wildlife.
- Former grouse moors that you feel are now in better condition thanks to change of land use
- Former moors that you feel are in worse condition thanks to change of land use
- Examples of communities impacted adversely by the loss of driven grouse shooting
- Examples of communities that have benefitted economically from change of land use
Have your say - get in touch now
Please contact Joe Dimbleby on jdimbleby@gwct.org.uk if you would like to share your experiences.
The more examples we can provide for policymakers of the benefits of grouse management and the negative consequences of abandoning it, the stronger the case for it continuing. So please do pass this message on to anyone who might be interested.