The Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected project’s collaborative approach has brought together farmers, landowners, conservation organisations, communities, volunteers and partner organisations.

It aims to boost biodiversity, mitigate climate change and enhance people's wellbeing.

The project is improving over 829km² of treasured upland landscapes across Upper Teesdale in the North Pennines and Upper Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The landscapes include blanket bog – an important habitat and carbon store – and a large percentage of the UK’s remaining uplands hay meadows, home to wading birds including lapwing, redshank, snipe and curlew.

Priority habitats are also being connected to reduce the decline in biodiversity across peatland, rivers, wetlands and woodlands.

Sharing learning and ideas

Key to the Tees-Swale project is sharing learning and ideas between farmers and conservation organisations. Working with approximately 300 farmers in the area over five years, the project will develop and embed farming methods which value and work in harmony with nature.

Schools and community groups, including from nearby urban areas, are more easily able to explore the dales. They take part in activities to help them better understand and appreciate the wildlife, landscapes and lives of the people who live and work there – and boost their own wellbeing too.

Investment in nature

Tees-Swale is a unique collaboration between the North Pennines National Landscape and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The £5.7m delivery grant went towards a total project funding of £8.5m.

Find out more about the project on the North Pennines website.