New report reinforces the importance of gamekeepers in fighting wildfires and protecting the uplands

A new report, launched on 19 May in Westminster, reinforces the vital role of gamekeepers in fighting wildfires and protecting heather moorlands, as well as supporting the socio-economic wellbeing of local communities in the English uplands.

 ‘The Grouse Moor Gamekeeper in England in the 21st Century’ is the first academic study to gather detailed information about the economic, environmental, and social impacts of gamekeepers and their work. 

Speaking at the launch of the report in Parliament on Monday, the author Professor Simon Denny said, “Gamekeepers do not have a single, simple role. Rather they must be skilled educators and communicators, wildlife wardens, fire fighters, conservation managers, planners and organisers, first aiders, rescuers, and managers of people.” 

“Without gamekeepers, large areas of heather moor and their extraordinary flora and fauna, would be lost. I am full of admiration for what they do,” he added.

The launch was co-hosted by the Regional Moorland Groups – who commissioned the report – and David Smith, MP for North Northumberland. Mr Smith, whose constituency contains large areas of moorland, praised the report and its findings.

David Smith MP

“Moorlands are open, wild landscapes – loved for their beauty and character – and gamekeepers play a vital role in preserving and protecting them. Their work includes wildfire prevention, predator control, habitat restoration, and conservation of rare ground nesting birds like curlew, lapwing, and golden plover,” he said.

The findings from the report, which we have listed below, will come as no surprise to those of us who understand the hardwork and dedication that upland gamekeepers invest into their daily work. It is fantastic therefore to have this quantified and verified in an academic study.

Some of the findings from the report were:

• Moors managed by gamekeepers spend approximately £21.8 million per year with contractors - especially agricultural contractors - to improve the habitat of their moors and access to them.

  
  

• Grouse moor management brings uniquely high value tourism to the English uplands, with a total value of £121 million per year. No alternative activity generates anything near this figure.

  
  

• Gamekeepers maintain moors for public access, allowing hundreds of thousands of visitors to enjoy them by walking, rambling, or cycling.

  
  

• Gamekeepers reduce the risk of wildfires through practices such as controlled heather burning. They also play a vital role in tackling wildfires on moorlands when they break out.

  
  

• Moorland management helps protect some of the UK’s most endangered species enabling the UK government to achieve its legally binding nature recovery targets by 2030.

  
  

About the report: 

‘The Grouse Moor Gamekeeper in England in the 21st Century’ was commissioned by the Regional Moorland Groups and the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. It analyses data from 58 moors in northern England that are members of the Regional Moorland Groups.

Between them, these moors generate £48.7 million in economic activity. Over the course of a year, these 58 moors hosted 360 visits from conservation organisations and 40% of them employ specialists to assist with conservation surveys and data collection.

In total, the 140 grouse moors of the Regional Moorland Groups manage an area the size of Derbyshire. This area is home to 53% of the UK’s red-listed curlew population and 42% of lapwing.