Exciting expansion to Ingleborough National Nature Reserve
Ingleborough National Nature Reserve (NNR) has become part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and will be expanded to include 1186 hectares of land.
Yorkshire’s iconic upland landscape will be secured for nature, boosting wildlife recovery and public access.
Ingleborough National Nature Reserve (NNR) has habitats that are home to nationally significant wildlife populations including northern brown argus butterfly, curlew and Yorkshire sandwort.
It has been recognised for its importance as a haven for rare wildlife and unique habitats as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, established to celebrate His Majesty the King’s Coronation in 2023.
The expansion brings the total safeguarded area to 1186 hectares, making it one of the largest and most wildlife-rich landscapes in northern England.
Collaboration for nature
The recognition brings together decades of work by Natural England, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, University of Leeds, United Bank of Carbon, The Woodland Trust, and WWF to tackle the climate crisis, restore degraded habitats, and create a resilient landscape for people and nature.
The Wild Ingleborough partnership aims to restore wildlife on a landscape scale throughout the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Professor Dominick Spracklen said: "This announcement is fantastic news for nature and testament to decades of hard work of local farmers, Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The expanded National Nature Reserve will help many rare and threatened species to survive."
Ingleborough NNR is a vital lifeline for threatened species, from delicate ferns, mosses and lichens to flowers so rare that they are endemic to Ingleborough, meaning they can be found in this area of the world alone.
Ingleborough is the only place where you can discover the tiny white stars of Yorkshire sandwort. It’s just one of four places in the UK where you can see Teesdale violets, and one of two places in Yorkshire where purple saxifrage grows.
The site supports nationally important wildlife species including curlew, whose evocative call is fading as populations decline across the UK, as well as the black grouse and ring ouzel – both on the red list of threatened birds.
Ingleborough’s limestone pavements, in their natural, undisturbed state host a rich variety of plant life including rare holly ferns, lichens and mosses, as well as patches of sweet-smelling wild thyme and rockrose, the main food source of the rare northern brown argus butterfly.
Associate Professor Cat Scott said: "Our researchers provide detailed monitoring that ensures conservation and management is based on evidence. This is crucial to make sure management changes allow nature to recover.
"Our work has shown how shifting to low-intensity cattle grazing has allowed limestone grassland flowers to recover and has boosted butterfly populations that are declining in many parts of England."
The reserve is trailing sustainable farming practices with local tenants, including low-intensity cattle grazing with native breed cows that mimic natural processes. Additionally, landowners and reserve staff have been experimenting with different grazing approaches that have helped create a patchwork of different habitats, with areas of wildflower-rich grassland mixed with areas of shrub and woodland.
These practices will now be extended into the new areas of protected land, to allow further reduction in grazing pressure on the limestone pavement.
The extension of Ingleborough National Nature Reserve is a significant moment for nature recovery
Paul Duncan, Deputy Director for Natural England in Yorkshire, said: “The extension of Ingleborough National Nature Reserve is a significant moment for nature recovery. The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most unique and irreplaceable landscapes with habitats that play host to species found nowhere else in the UK. They are now better protected for generations to come.”
Rachael Bice, CEO at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said: “Working together to create space for nature is vital and further protection for Ingleborough’s stunning landscape follows years of dedicated commitment to bring back more diverse and abundant wildlife to a nature-rich upland limestone landscape.
“We’re thrilled the vision and work of our partnership, volunteers, members and supporters has been recognised. This area is one of the most exciting and inviting places to enjoy the wilder side of our rich natural heritage.”
