AN AMBITIOUS scheme to protect and enhance East Dartmoor is appealing for help to draw up plans for the future.

The East Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Scheme, which covers Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey and Haytor, is a 20-year partnership project designed to enhance nature and help wildlife across 3,000 hectares of East Dartmoor.

Currently in its planning phase, the scheme brings together farmers, landowners, commoners, communities, and partner organisations to work together to build nature’s resilience.

The scheme is set to launch in 2026, pending funding.

Now the team working on the project have launched a survey to find out what matters most about East Dartmoor.

A spokesman for Dartmoor National Park Authority said: ‘We are delighted to have been selected by Defra for the first stage of its ambitious Landscape Recovery Scheme which is a key pillar of the new Environmental Land Management Schemes.

‘Our pioneering project will be based in East Dartmoor.

‘We’ll work with partners, local farmers, landowners and communities to support nature recovery and resilience on a landscape scale, extended up to 5,000 hectares.’

It was one of just 22 successful applications in England to be offered two years’ support for project development and if this phase is successful, the scheme would be supported long term by implementation agreements of at least 20 years.

The Landscape Recovery Scheme offers an opportunity to secure alternative support for rural livelihoods.

DNPA said: ‘We envisage future East Dartmoor as a thriving, working landscape with outstanding natural diversity and resilience, where natural processes, such as soil and peat formation and natural woodland regeneration, play important roles.

‘Strong networks of vibrant, dynamic habitats will show England’s uplands at their very best.

‘The scheme will work with farmers, commoners, land and business owners to develop a partnership project of national importance.’

The survey is open until March 9.