Dartmoor Preservation Association

17/06/2026

It was fantastic to be part of the inaugural Rivers & Moorland Festival, joining Sustainable South Hams for their 'Moor Understanding' event at the watermark in Ivybridge.

Following on from a screening of the short film, ' A Cuckoo Calling - Farming Wilder on Dartmoor' our CEO Tom Usher joined a panel of experts including Simon Roper of Devon Rewilding Network/Ambios, Jane Acton of CommonFlora, Seb Powell, a Dartmoor Hill Farmer, and Emma Magee of the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group/Duchy of Cornwall.

The discussion explored the connections between farming livelihoods, land management, and nature on Dartmoor. The panel considered the realities facing hill farmers, evolving approaches to land use, and how policy and support schemes shape decisions. Alongside this, the topic of representation in decision making came up, with an audience member asking how a greater variety of people could be involved in boards that discuss the future of Dartmoor. Tom shared the DPA's approach to this issue, which has included reshaping our board of Trustees to ensure that we have a Trustee in every decade of age, as well as a mix of genders.

17/06/2026

The Ellwood Classic National Walling Competition is coming to Dartmoor on Saturday the 27th June, but there's much more to the event than just walling. This family friendly celebration of rural skills will also feature history walks, talks, music, local food, a bar from Dartmoor Brewery and sheepdog training demonstrations.

MERRIVALE'S PAST LANDSCAPES WALK WITH ANDY CRABB

This 2hr walk will explore the well-preserved Merrivale prehistoric stone row complex and associated monuments, investigate a Bronze Age settlement and visit a post medieval rabbit warren.

Andy has been working on Dartmoor as an archeologist for both the DNPA and Historic England for over 20 years and his main role is to promote the positive management of Dartmoor's Historic Environment through consultation and community engagement.

This competition is sponsored by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, with generous support from the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Dartmoor Brewery and the Dartmoor National Park Proceeds will go towards Devon Air Ambulance and Sampford Spiney church. Competitors can register directly with the Ellwood Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association GB. by emailing [email protected] or calling 07557399978.

Book your FREE spectator tickets to the Ellwood Classic Walling Competition on EventBrite.

15/06/2026

Nominations are now open for the National Park Protector Awards.

Are you a National Park Protector?

Our annual National Park Protector Awards are back and we’re looking for the people who are the heart of our Parks ❤️

Nominations for our four awards are open, could you be a winner? 🏆

Learn more about the awards and how to nominate 👉 https://www.cnp.org.uk/national-parks-movement/national-park-protector-awards/

📅 Nominations close 12 July 2026

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting our Awards ⭐

15/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Annual General Meeting on Saturday. It was a lively event, with lots of useful questions and conversation following on from our presentation from guest speaker, Emma Magee.

We also said a fond farewell to Kevin Bishop, former CEO of Dartmoor National Park, and thanked him for his services to Dartmoor by presenting him with a framed painting by celebrated landscape artist Frederick John Widgery.

Appointed on the 1st of October 2007, Kevin Bishop has led the Dartmoor National Park Authority through a period of profound change and progress, shaping national thinking on nature restoration, climate action, access to the outdoors, and collaborative land management. His departure marks the end of an era for one of the UK's most cherished landscapes.

After nearly two decades at the helm, Kevin has departed from his post as Chief Executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority and been succeeded by Tom Surrey.

The DPA would like to extend their sincere thanks for the energy and passion which Kevin has brought to his role. We have had the pleasure of working alongside him throughout his career with the National Park and we wish him all the best for the future.

15/06/2026

OUR COMMON GROUND

We're honoured to have been invited to film with students from Churston Ferrers Grammar School to help create a Dartmoor focused entry for the global Docathon film competition. Alongside Lewis Winks, Kimwei McCarthy, Chris Dance and Lisa Rowe, we answered questions from the young film makers about what made access to Dartmoor so important.

Matt McEwen and Florence Lyon filmed and edited 'Our Common Ground' in response to the 2026 Docathon theme of 'bridging the gap.' The DPA are delighted to have provided interviews and footage, which feature in the finished documentary.

Docathon is a global documentary film-making competition, where participants make a short documentary about a real issue in their community, and how this is being addressed. For 2026 the theme was "Bridging the Gap" and entrants were invited to make a short documentary, around six minutes, which explores inspiring local organisations working to solve local issues.

Matt shared: 'We have been really inspired by the work of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, particularly regarding conservation and land access on Dartmoor. We were especially motivated by your stance defending the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, especially following the legal battle brought by Alexander Darwall.'

'We see this film as mutually beneficial, creating and sharing it being a valuable learning opportunity for myself and other students, as well as helping to showcase your essential work to a wider audience and raising awareness about environmental and land conservation on Dartmoor, and the preservation of access rights for the public.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeLop2a8h9w

This short documentary film has been created by student film makers...

11/06/2026

A population of rare Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies has been confirmed on DPA owned land at High House Waste. Our Ecological Consultant, Albert Knott, spent a day on the land last week surveying for the presence of these butterflies, and was delighted to record substantial activity. As well as seeing fritillary butterflies, he also saw multiple Keeled Skimmer dragonflies emerging from the mire habitat. The confirmed presence of these species further underscores the vital importance of the mosaic of moorland habitat, including mires, at High House Waste.

As an adult, Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies consume nectar from spring flowers including bramble and thistle, flying low to the ground in a distinctive flutter and glide pattern. They can be identified by their striking orange colour, with black marks on the upperside of the wings and black and silver markings on the underside. They also has a distinctive row of seven ‘pearls’ on the outer edge of each wing. The caterpillars feed exclusively on violets (both marsh violets and also common dog violets) and require an ample food source growing near a thatch of bracken, which helps to keeps eggs and caterpillars warm as they develop.

Our refreshed land management plan for High House Waste acknowledges the importance of mires and seeks to improve the health of this habitat on site. We plan to further clear gorse from around the edges of the mires, opening them up and allowing light in so that marsh violets can flourish in these areas. Under the guidance of Albert Knott, we will carry out this work during the autumn and then survey the area again next spring, looking for evidence of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies and their food plants.



📷 Albert Knott

10/06/2026

Our friends at Chagford Local History Society extend an invite to their Dartmoor History Day.

Chagford’s Jubilee Hall will host a major free public celebration of Dartmoor’s history on Saturday 4th July 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of Dartmoor’s designation as one of Britain’s first National Parks.

Organised by the Chagford Local History Society, Dartmoor History Day will run from 10am to 5pm and bring together local history groups, exhibitions, music, storytelling, refreshments, and community memory projects from across Devon.

Visitors will be able to explore historical displays curated by some of Devon’s most active local history organisations, including groups from Lustleigh, Moretonhampstead, Okehampton, Throwleigh and Widecombe. The Devon History Society will also present a special exhibition, Devon in the 1920s, offering a glimpse into everyday life in the county a century ago.

The event will also feature live performances of Dartmoor-themed songs and traditional stories, alongside displays from the Chagford Heritage Centre highlighting the town’s rich local history collections.

In partnership with the Chagford Community and Memory Café, organisers will also invite local residents to share memories of Dartmoor life in decades past, helping preserve personal stories and experiences for future generations.

This free event is open to everyone with an interest in Dartmoor’s heritage, landscape, and communities. Admission is free, plus complimentary refreshments will be available.

09/06/2026

The Ellwood Classic National Walling Competition is coming to Dartmoor on Saturday the 27th June, but there's much more to the event than just walling. This family friendly celebration of rural skills will also feature history walks, talks, music, local food, a bar from Dartmoor Brewery and sheepdog training demonstrations.

HISTORY WALKS AND TALKS WITH SIMON DELL

Simon Dell is the founder of Moorland Guides and an avid walker with a wealth of knowledge. He will be available throughout the event for an informal chat about Dartmoor history, plus will be leading two walks from the walling site to explore local archaeology.

Learn about past uses of the land, including traces of mining and stoneworking industries, such as the sett makers benches. No need to book, just arrive at the meeting point at the times displayed.

This competition is sponsored by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, with generous support from the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Dartmoor Brewery and the Dartmoor National Park. Proceeds will go towards Devon Air Ambulance and Sampford Spiney church. Competitors can register directly with the Ellwood Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association GB. by emailing [email protected] or calling 07557399978.

Book your FREE spectator tickets to the Ellwood Classic Walling Competition on EventBrite.

09/06/2026

Roz Brady, environmental composer and writer, shares her new article about DPA owned Pudsham Hay Meadows through the seasons, with illustrations by Simon Barron.

'There’s treasure trove in these meadows. I watched it rise up like the Sutton Hoo hoard, the yellow Rattle, the Southern Marsh Orchid, the charming little Lousewort and all their moths and butterflies. Most recently I discovered the meadows’ hidden night life; the huge, tropical green and pink Elephant Hawk-moth that flies to the sweet scented nectaries of the long-lipped Butterfly orchids, the undulating Peach Blossom moth like a rippling rose kimono. I found the mysterious purple Heath Spotted Orchid and its secret language written in cryptic markings on pale petals – landing lights for pollinating flies and hoverflies. My imagination was ignited.

On Wednesday the 24th of June I have been asked by DPA to take a nature-writing walk at Pudsham Meadows with folklorist and author Helen Bruce. What a privilege, to hand on the joy and life I have learnt here. And to read you some of the stories I found.'

Illustration:

-The male Marsh Fritillary Butterfly chooses only one Devil’s-Bit Scabious flower for his territory and home.

08/06/2026

Our friends at Shallowford Farm extend an invite to their 50th Birthday Fete.

Over the past five decades, Shallowford has welcomed thousands of young people from across the nation onto their working Dartmoor farm, many of them experiencing the countryside for the very first time. That work has been made possible by the partnerships, funding and support of many organisations.

On Saturday 18th July 2026, Shallowford Farm are celebrating this milestone with a community fete at the farm and they'd very much love for as many people as possible to join them.

From 11am to 4pm, the farm will be alive with partner stalls, activities, food, farm animals and storytelling. It's a chance to see Shallowford at its best, to meet the community that makes it what it is, and to celebrate fifty years of making a difference, together.
Tickets are free and families are welcomed.