Yorkshire Water Services (YWS) own around 70,000 acres, the majority of which is ‘non-operational’, where the primary purpose of ownership has been for catchment purposes: by owning the land we can influence the way it is managed, with a view to maintaining the quality of the water flowing off the land and into our reservoirs.
Whilst protecting water quality remains our primary requirement, we believe our land has the potential to generate significant value to society, their communities, customers and stakeholders.
Much of this land is dominated by upland blanket bog, which has been managed primarily as grouse moors. It is only in the last 15 years that research into the impacts of grouse moor management has been investigated, most notably the impact of inappropriate burning of heather has on water colour. Over the last three or four years, YWS has played a significant role in breaking down barriers over how the uplands are managed, to agree with all stakeholders that the only habitat that delivers the five key outcomes identified through Bogathon (water quality; biodiversity; carbon; sustainable grazing and grouse) was a healthy active blanket bog with a reduction in heather and an increase in Sphagnum. This process and its conclusions have formed the basis of the Government's blanket bog restoration strategy, which will protect and enhance all of the English uplands, not just YWS catchment areas. It has also fundamentally changed the way Natural England engage with landowners, where a recognition of the aspirations and knowledge of those landowners is balanced with delivering improvements to landscapes to benefit all stakeholders. YWS was the only water company directly involved in breaking down these barriers; developing the government strategy, and now we are implementing that strategy on our own land holdings as an exemplar of how to manage land for multiple benefits. Humberstone Bank Farm, a 904 hectares (2,234 acres) upland farm north of Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire, is the first, following the retirement of the longstanding agricultural tenants last year.
A Partner Pack set out all their objectives for the water and natural environment, society and reputation, as well as the farmstead and management principles. Organisations and individuals with an interest in nature and sustainable farming practices were invited to submit proposals to work with them to ensure Humberstone Bank Farm could be managed to deliver multiple outcomes, including improved water quality, biodiversity and carbon storage, whilst still supporting grouse and grazing enterprises. This is “Beyond Nature”.
Submissions went through two scoring rounds, with the final five going on to presentations and interviews. All were assessed against a list of potential ecosystem services and values to society and their business.
In September 2016 it was announced that a local young farmer, Jonathan Grayshon, was to take on the farm, working alongside Yorkshire Water and the sporting owner, as well as local stakeholders, towards a joint vision to:
Demonstrate Humberstone Bank Farm as an exemplar in upland management for water, biodiversity, carbon and farming and sporting enterprises. This is Beyond Nature.
Humberstone Bank Farm will also integrate natural and cultural heritage, economic and social objectives. Focussed monitoring and research will be undertaken to provide the evidence for catchment interventions and innovative approaches to grazing regimes and management, which also supports sporting interests whilst delivering valued ecosystem services.
As a flagship project for the partners it will facilitate engagement with all interested parties to share ideas, evidence and practical experience.
Lisa Harrowsmith, Lead Surveyor at Yorkshire Water, said: “Humberstone Bank Farm is a traditional hill farm at heart that lies within the Nidderdale AONB, producing top quality stock that farmers are proud to produce. However, as well as grazing, the Beyond Nature ethos is all about sustainable farming that protects water quality, wildlife and biodiversity, peatland and carbon storage. We believe that Jonathan is the best candidate to deliver and demonstrate this vision that will ensure the farm becomes a standard bearer for innovative, sustainable farming that sensitively manages the land it sits in.”
The vision to be an exemplar in upland land management has five main streams that all overlap and interlink, providing a range of ecosystem services:
Water quality – Manage the land to improve flow attenuation and natural flood management by improving the blanket bog and increasing the populations of Sphagnum moss and other peat forming plants. Review the grip blocking and drainage channel profiling programme to reduce erosion and raise the water table, protecting the underlying peat from damage, to have a positive impact on water quality, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Biodiversity – Wish to see a more diverse plant community, supporting a range of internationally important habitats and species. Maintain the presence and population of the key species, along with the assemblage of breeding and wintering birds. Prevent the establishment and spread of non-native species.
Carbon – Re-vegetate and maintain the peatland on the holding to keep the carbon locked up and sequestering carbon, mitigating the effect of climate change.
Farming Enterprise – Ensure there is a sustainable farming enterprise for food production, and providing land management to maintain this valuable landscape. Review the grazing regime to reduce trampling and facilitate vegetation recovery. Consider the use of native breed cattle to contribute to diversification of vegetation.
Sporting Enterprise – Demonstrate a sustainable grouse shooting enterprise that supports all other environmental and farming objectives. Review burning, cutting and drainage of the moorland to improve vegetation diversity and wildfire mitigation.
An Upland Hub is to be established where a programme of professional knowledge exchange aimed at farmers, land managers, policy-makers and other practitioners through demonstration events, workshops and seminars will be developed. The facility will develop and adapt according to ideas and requirements in the future.
