A 30-YEAR vision for the North York Moors National Park calls for action to stop the loss of heather moorland to bracken, reverting conifer plantations to moorland, and safeguarding the future of hill sheep flocks and grouse breeding.

It has been drawn up by the Moorland Working Group, which comprises landowners, farmers, conservationists, and gamekeepers, and was this week welcomed to the park authority's conservation committee.

Rachel Pickering, the park's moorland and estate officer, said the group had identified in its long-term vision the aim of prioritising resources and enabling a "bigger picture" to be taken on board.

The 15-point vision includes managing moorland to conserve peatland by cutting the risk of fire and vehicle rutting, improving water retention on the moors to reduce the effects of both drought and floods to benefit wildlife, and safeguarding archaeological and historical remains when heather cutting and work involving ground disturbance is carried out.

It also wants to see co-operative working on the moors and young people encouraged into traditional skills, and increasing the range and diversity of moorland wildlife and habitats.

The group, said Ms Pickering, said there should be increased public understanding of the moorland, and promotion of careful driving.

The authority has been concerned for some years about the damage caused by 4x4 vehicles, and the number of lambs killed on moorland roads.

She said the vision would be reviewed annually by the working group which, although not an official authority body, provided a valuable forum for balanced discussion and debate on moorland issues.