Big Nature Projects Delivered on Exmoor but Challenges Still to Overcome

The report demonstrates major achievements in delivering for nature - in line with new statutory requirements introduced under the Environment Act 2021. Covering January 2021 to January 2026, it also sets out the pressures and challenges facing Exmoor’s landscapes, species and ecosystems. ENPA has been working with farmers, landowners, partners, and volunteers to deliver a wide programme of work to strengthen Exmoor’s biodiversity.

This work has included thousands of hectares of moorland and woodland restoration and the allocation of £2.4 million in nature friendly farming grants. Continued peatland restoration is improving carbon storage, biodiversity and natural flood management. Partnership working in species recovery has led to groundwork carried out to improve water vole and Marsh Fritillary butterfly habitat and the successful release of 19 pine martens on Exmoor in 2025 through the Two Moors Pine Marten Project.

Exmoor also now has three major Landscape Recovery Schemes in development, including ‘Reviving Exmoor’s Heartlands’ led by ENPA, covering around 11,000 hectares of the National Park and aiming to restore moorland, blanket bog, species-rich grassland and temperate rainforest habitats.

“This report demonstrates the huge breadth, ambition and impact of nature recovery projects happening across Exmoor. It is the result of years of collaboration between Exmoor National Park Authority and farmers, landowners, partners, volunteers and local communities. We know there’s still a lot to do and the environmental and economic challenges we face are considerable, but the progress we have made gives real hope for the future. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to help deliver the Exmoor National Park Management Plan targets for a more nature-rich landscape.”

More on the Biodiversity Duty Report

This now a duty on all public sector bodies to consider what actions can be taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity and to produce a report setting out how they have complied with this duty every 5 years. This is the first report under the new requirements. It includes details on:

Landscape-scale habitat restoration

• More than 4,500 hectares of ENPA-owned land, including moorland, woodland and farmland, have been managed and restored with nature recovery as a central purpose.
• Exmoor now has three major Landscape Recovery Schemes in development, including Reviving Exmoor’s Heartlands, covering around 11,000 hectares and aiming to restore moorland, blanket bog, species-rich grassland and temperate rainforest habitats.

Supporting nature-friendly farming

• Since 2021, over £2.4 million in Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grants has supported farmers and landowners to deliver environmental improvements.
• This includes 2,600+ hectares of soil health projects, 8,284 new trees, 5km of new hedgerows, and 436 hectares of biodiversity-rich habitat creation.

Peatland and river restoration

• ENPA has continued 25 years of peatland restoration through the South West Peatland Partnership, improving carbon storage, biodiversity and natural flood management across key moorland sites.
• A major Upper Barle river restoration feasibility study is now underway to reconnect the river with its historic floodplain, supported by the Water Restoration Grant and Somerset Rivers Authority.

Species recovery and reintroductions

• ENPA has supported the successful release of 19 pine martens on Exmoor in 2025.
• Extensive groundwork has been completed to support future water vole reintroductions and improve habitat for marsh fritillary butterflies, including volunteer-led mink monitoring and plug planting.

Climate action and carbon reduction

• ENPA has almost halved its own carbon emissions since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, through building upgrades, renewable energy investment, and electrifying its vehicle fleet.
• Woodland creation, peatland restoration and natural flood management are contributing to Exmoor’s ambition to become a net zero National Park.

People, place and community

• Over 34,000 volunteer hours have supported conservation, habitat surveys, access improvements, and species monitoring.
• Community engagement initiatives, including “Welcome to Exmoor” days, the Young Rangers programme, and nature-based health interventions such as Nature Prescriptions, have expanded opportunities for people to connect with nature.
• Exmoor has strengthened its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve, with over 140 planning applications improved through light pollution mitigation measures.

Key challenges highlighted in the report

Despite significant progress, ENPA’s report also identifies ongoing and emerging challenges for nature recovery on Exmoor:

Many habitats remain in unfavourable condition

Large areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) require restoration, particularly moorland, blanket bog and upland grassland. Improving condition at landscape scale requires long-term investment, tenant collaboration and specialist ecological expertise.

Climate change impacts are intensifying

A new Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment reveals risks including increased wildfire, drought impacts on peatlands and woodlands, more intense rainfall, and higher flood risk to communities and infrastructure.

Air and water quality pressures are growing

• Nitrogen pollution from ammonia and other emissions continues to exceed critical thresholds on Exmoor’s most sensitive habitats.
• Water quality concerns, especially linked to veterinary medicines and their impact on river invertebrates, require further investigation and partnership working.

Invasive non-native species remain a significant threat

Despite 20 years of control work, knotweed, American skunk cabbage, Himalayan balsam and American signal crayfish continue to threaten habitats. Ongoing funding is essential to maintain progress.

Resource pressures and long-term funding uncertainties

Delivering ambitious national targets such as 30 by 30, Biodiversity Net Gain, and new statutory duties places increasing demands on ENPA and land managers at a time of tightening budgets.

Looking ahead

The report outlines a suite of ambitious planned actions through to 2029 and beyond, including:

• expanding temperate rainforest creation
• further woodland and wetland restoration
• delivering major Landscape Recovery Schemes
• completing SSSI condition assessments with Natural England
• progressing climate adaptation planning
• continuing tree nursery development and species reintroduction programmes
• expanding community engagement, volunteering and skills opportunities.