We are planning another round of Dark Peak Nature Improvement Area (NIA) visitor surveys in December.
The surveys will build on the data collected since 2012. Our questionnaire asks who is visiting our green spaces and why, what benefits people gain from their visits, what they think of the natural environment they are visiting and where they have travelled from.
The information will be used by the Dark Peak NIA to gauge visitor attitudes and awareness of green spaces, biodiversity and related conservation activities and how these change between 2012 and 2015 as the surveys are repeated.
How can you help?
We are looking for volunteers to help carry out the visitor questionnaires and visitor counts at several sites across the Sheffield Moors for the Dark Peak Nature Improvement Area (NIA).
The questionnaires will be carried out by a minimum of two volunteers at each site on:
- Wednesday 3rd December
- Thursday 4th December
- Saturday 6th December
- Sunday 7th December
If you are available on any of these days and would like to get involved, your help would be much appreciated! Contact Sarah Proctor by e-mail at sarah.proctor@peakdistrict.gov.uk
What is the Dark Peak NIA?
The Dark Peak NIA includes nine partners: the RSPB, National Trust, Peak District National Park Authority, United Utilities, British Mountaineering Council, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Moors for the Future Partnership and Natural England.
The Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) Programme has been established with funding of £7.5 million, as announced by Defra in the Natural Environment White Paper (2011). NIAs are large, discrete areas that will deliver a step change in nature conservation, where a local partnership has a shared vision for their natural environment.
With the support of Natural England, Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission, the partnership will plan and deliver significant improvements for wildlife and people through the sustainable use of natural resources, restoring and creating wildlife habitats, connecting local sites and joining up local action.