LLM day one - gamekeepers rule

Gareth Dockerty

Gareth Dockerty

Gareth is Deputy Director of shooting operations at BASC. Having joined the organisation in 2016, Gareth’s role focuses on ensuring decision makers, stakeholders and the public understand the benefits of shooting for upland habitats and rural communities.

Gareth Dockerty reflects on the vital role of the gamekeepers in delivering Let’s Learn Moor, as day one of the week-long series of upland events gets under way.

We started Let’s Learn Moor week today in a sunny but windy Nidderdale in North Yorkshire.

It seems appropriate to start our LLM blog focusing on the gamekeepers, after all they provide the stunning locations and host each event.

Today’s event was coordinated by the Nidderdale Moorland Group. Tracy Johnson, Nidderdale’s coordinator, runs the LLM days with military precision. She’s absolutely top-notch and is always on hand to point schools and teachers in the right direction and ensuring the day runs smoothly.

Water sprayers and leaf blowers

During our day here today, the Nidderdale ‘keepers have taught the children about habitat management, wildfire mitigation and prevention, and predator control. 

The passion they have for their roles and the species that benefit from their hard work is clear to see. Even if they do have a few nerves about two days of education work – which can be daunting for anyone by the way – they are soon back in the swing of things and engaging the children with their funny stories and understanding of the awesome landscapes they curate.

Having sprayed water, blown leaf blowers and learned about the countryside code, the children and teachers left today brimming with new knowledge of the important role the shooting community plays in conserving our diverse uplands.

I’m writing this blog listening to curlew and oyster catchers as the marquees stand ready to welcome another 150 children tomorrow.

Over the next week, across 8 locations involving over 3000 children, the gamekeeping hosts will continue to make the shooting community proud.

Day two tomorrow

I’m writing this blog listening to curlew and oyster catchers as the marquees stand ready to welcome another 150 children tomorrow.

Over the next week, across eight locations involving more than 3,000 children, our gamekeeping hosts will continue to make the shooting community proud.

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