With the budget happening today there's been much comment about when cutbacks in public spending will come. Will they be immediately after the election or somewhat later, and what exactly will be cut? So from the point of view of conservationists this may be a sensitive time for me to raise again the question that's puzzled me for several years now.
Why is it that Blacka became the wonderful place that it did at a time when little or no management took place ? The grouse moor section evolved from a dull predictable heather dominated landscape into something vibrant and intriguing with groups of trees and diverse vistas invigorated by an influx of native wildlife such as songbirds and deer.
But since the new century and the interest taken by conservationists in the place there's been little or no improvement. I would argue in some respects it has got distinctly worse. And during these ten years the number of publicly funded agencies that have been involved writing reports and attending meetings and handling grant applications has been truly astonishing.
I have tried to compile a list of the organisations involved but have the feeling I've left several out:
Sheffield City Council,
Sheffield Wildlife Trust,
Peak District National Park Authority,
Natural England,
DEFRA,
Charity Commission,
Rural Payments Agency,
Heritage Lottery Fund,
Forestry Commission,
I should add, as always, certain arms of the European Union and also the largest bird charity RSPB.
As I said the mind boggling thing is that you will struggle to point out any improvement in the fabric of the place that reflects this massive involvement. And the most significant , emblematic and positive development during this time happened with no input from any of these agencies quangos and bureaucracies, nor any mention in a management plan.
Why is it that Blacka became the wonderful place that it did at a time when little or no management took place ? The grouse moor section evolved from a dull predictable heather dominated landscape into something vibrant and intriguing with groups of trees and diverse vistas invigorated by an influx of native wildlife such as songbirds and deer.
But since the new century and the interest taken by conservationists in the place there's been little or no improvement. I would argue in some respects it has got distinctly worse. And during these ten years the number of publicly funded agencies that have been involved writing reports and attending meetings and handling grant applications has been truly astonishing.
I have tried to compile a list of the organisations involved but have the feeling I've left several out:
Sheffield City Council,
Sheffield Wildlife Trust,
Peak District National Park Authority,
Natural England,
DEFRA,
Charity Commission,
Rural Payments Agency,
Heritage Lottery Fund,
Forestry Commission,
I should add, as always, certain arms of the European Union and also the largest bird charity RSPB.
As I said the mind boggling thing is that you will struggle to point out any improvement in the fabric of the place that reflects this massive involvement. And the most significant , emblematic and positive development during this time happened with no input from any of these agencies quangos and bureaucracies, nor any mention in a management plan.
Yet one thing you can be sure of:
those organisations whose existence depends on justifying their actions will be spinning and exaggerating the results of any projects or initiatives at their work stations. I know that many of the people who work for agencies in the above list are very decent and well-meaning (there are also some stinkers), but they are drawn into the culture very easily and one cannot be sentimental when faced with nonsense on this scale.
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