A PROJECT to improve the environment in Upper Wharfedale has been boosted by a £200,000 grant.

The extra funds have been granted by the European Commission for the £400,000 three-year project being led by the Environment Agency.

The project is set to tackle issues which affect uplands, such as the effects of moorland drainage, riverbank erosion, overgrazing, pollution caused by sheep dip and the decline of agriculture. It also aims to support local services, farms and other businesses.

On a practical level the scheme will mean that work will be carried out to benefit flora and fauna in Upper Wharfedale by, for example, blocking drainage channels, known as grips, to retain more water on the moor.

The project will also carry out work to strengthen river banks to manage erosion and improve the wildlife habitat and also plant trees.

Sheep dips will also be targeted and improved, to prevent pollution and to protect invertebrate and fish life in Upper Wharfedale rivers.

Overshadowing all these projects will be the aim to raise awareness of the best ways to manage the environment through education.

Liz Chalk, the Environment Agency's project manager said: "In a changing world this is an exciting chance for everyone with an interest in the dale to play a part in looking after their environment and for others to apply similar measures elsewhere and become more environmentally aware."

The main partners in the scheme are Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, The National Trust, English Nature, local farming and parish representatives, Yorkshire Water Services, Newcastle University, the Forestry Commission, Tilhill Economic Forestry and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency.

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