Dartmoor National Park Authority

Action for Wildlife: the Dartmoor Biodiversity Partnership

Action for Wildlife: the Dartmoor Biodiversity Partnership (AFW) is based at and co-ordinated by Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA). Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Duchy of Cornwall are also partners.  AFW carries out practical project work which contributes to targets for key habitats and species identified within Action for Wildlife: the Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

AFW began as the pilot Dart Biodiversity Project in 1998 and expanded to a Dartmoor-wide brief as the Action for Wildlife Project in 2001. In 2009, the Action for Wildlife Project will become the Action for Wildlife Partnership with the same partner organisations and aims.
AFW works with a wide range of organisations and individuals to achieve targeted biodiversity action. The projects undertaken complement, utilise and build on the work of AFW’s partner organisations, to achieve targets and to facilitate co-ordinated action to make best use of resources and opportunities.

Project work is co-ordinated by DNPA’s Biodiversity Officer. Since 2005 AFW has become more strategic in approach so that efforts are put towards large-scale, strategic projects, rather than small scale, individual projects. The following main projects are currently underway:

• Dartmoor Blanket Bog Restoration Project  A pilot project exploring the effectiveness and practical application of restoration techniques for restoring Dartmoor’s blanket bogs.
• Dartmoor Wet Woodland Project  A project aiming to enhance the extent and value of Dartmoor’s wet woodlands by working with landowners in selected valleys.
• Dartmoor Natural Networks in the Walkham Valley  A project working with the wider community in the Walkham Valley to achieve benefits for key BAP species and habitats chosen by local people. Project work to benefit dormice and haymeadows is currently underway and the community is encouraged to participate in a range of ways.

Publications
AFW produces regular newsletter updates and publications associated with our project work. These are listed below and can be downloaded.

• Spring 2008 update (PDF Help 195kb)
• Autumn 2007 update (PDF Help 187kb)
• Dormouse survey leaflet   (PDF Help 555kb)

The Action for Wildlife Partnership webpage is under development. Project information is still being written. Please visit the site again for further information.

Page updated 18 February 2010