Ecologist returns to Nidderdale after mapping remote Falklands peatlands

An ecologist who began his career restoring rivers in the Yorkshire Dales before going on to map remote peatlands in the Falkland Islands has returned to Nidderdale to lead a wetlands programme.

David Higgins has joined Nidderdale National Landscape (NNL) as its new delivery officer for Wetlands, bringing more than a decade of experience in ecology, river restoration, natural flood management and peatland science.

He will work with farmers, landowners and estates across the National Landscape to develop projects ranging from pond creation and restoration to scrapes and larger wetlands.

The role will also involve working with Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust on river schemes and Yorkshire Peat Partnership on the moors.

For David, the appointment marks something of a homecoming. He began his ecology career with Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust in Bainbridge, Wensleydale, working on projects around Darley Beck and the River Laver, as well as in and around Ripon.

He said: “It’s kind of a full loop. It’ll be fantastic to go back to the old places I worked on: Darley Beck, the Laver and around the Ripon area.

“But there are also parts of this landscape I haven’t really been to before, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them. I’ve already been out on six or seven visits and met some fantastic people.”

David said wetlands were important for wildlife and helping the landscape adapt to a changing climate.

“A huge amount of our biodiversity is associated with wetlands, or with that transition between wetland and dry land,” he said.

“They can be peaceful places, but they also perform important physical functions. We need to hold more water on the land because of the changing climate, and wetlands can also help store carbon in the landscape.”

Before returning to Yorkshire, David spent two years with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust working on a rural run-off and natural flood management project. The work involved measures including leaky dams, scrapes and detention ponds to slow surface water before it reached villages at risk of flooding.

He said the experience would translate well to Nidderdale, although the terrain would be different.

“The principles are very similar. It’s just steeper here,” he said.

Before Wiltshire, David spent three and a half years in the Falkland Islands, helping characterise peatlands by mapping soil types, carbon and moisture content and associated wildlife.

The work included seven-to-10-day yacht-based field trips to some of the islands’ most remote locations.

An experienced wildlife photographer, David has also recently completed a Master’s degree in nature and travel writing.

He is now keen to hear from farmers and landowners who may have scope for wetland creation.

“If you’ve got room for a wetland, a pond or anything that involves water, come and talk to us,” he said.

“If you’re interested in wading birds, or you’ve got field corners that aren’t particularly productive for farming but could work well as wetlands, get in touch.

“On some of the larger estates there may also be opportunities for bigger wetland creation projects.”

Funding may be available through a range of routes, including core project funding, Farming in Protected Landscapes and environmental stewardship or farm environment grants.

David will act as a single point of contact for landowners, helping to coordinate projects across the wider Nidderdale National Landscape team.

He said: “We can do the liaison between us rather than sending a farmer or landowner from one member of staff to another. We’ll sort that out ourselves and try to make the process as straightforward as possible.”

Iain Mann, manager at Nidderdale National Landscape, said: “Wetlands can deliver benefits right across the landscape, for wildlife, water management and climate resilience, but turning an idea into a practical project can involve a lot of different people and organisations.

“David’s role gives farmers and landowners one person they can come to with an idea, and his experience means he can help develop that into something which works for the landowner, the land as well as the wider landscape.”

Farmers, landowners and residents interested in discussing a wetland or pond project can contact David Higgins on 01423 712950 or 07483 628934, or email [email protected].