THE Yorkshire Dales National Park is a great place to live – and that’s not just for humans.

A new report shows the National Park is home to many rare species of plants and animals – from Red Squirrels to Black Grouse - and they are thriving.

A Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) – called ‘2020 Vision’ – was unveiled in 2010 that identified a range of nationally and regionally important habitats and species in the National Park that were at risk.

It set out the conservation work needed to protect them over the next decade and a new report reviewing its progress in the first four years says it is hitting target after target.

The Trends and Status Review shows there has been major progress in managing many of the most important habitats. In addition, targeted conservation work for some species has been successful, with many bucking national population trends.

Adrian Shepherd, the YDNPA’s Head of Land Management, said: “’2020 Vision’ set out two primary objectives for the end of 2013 – and both have been achieved.

“The first was to make sure 65 per cent of the area of priority habitats in the Yorkshire Dales National Park was in “good” condition – and we have achieved an 89 per cent success rate so far. We have also found that the populations of 38 of the 46 LBAP species (78 per cent) that are currently ‘monitorable’ are stable – which has exceeded our initial target.

“In fact, we are bucking the national trend with some of our important priority bird species like Lapwings, Curlews and Black Grouse because the populations are stable here while they are in decline nationally.

“This is great news for the National Park and it’s a real testimony to the work done by landowners, farmers, Natural England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the other agencies in delivering a wide range of collaborative projects.”

Other successes in the first years include:

• 45 per cent of upland calcareous grassland in England is found within the National Park and more than 93 per cent is in good condition.

• Conservation work supported by a number of organisations including YDNPA, Natural England and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust has resulted in more than 95 per cent of upland hay meadows being classified as in good condition.

• The majority of Northern Brown Argus butterfly sites are in appropriate management, and the populations of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies are stable.

• The distribution of Red Squirrels is stable, as is the Dormouse population following its successful re-introduction in 2008 at Freeholders’ Wood next to the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre.

• Populations of two LBAP priority invertebrate species – the Fine-lined Pea Mussel and the Round-mouthed Whorl Snail – are stable.

• The populations of 61 per cent of priority plant species in the National Park are stable. This includes Lady’s Slipper-orchid, Marsh Saxifrage and Field Gentian.

• The population of Yorkshire Feather Moss (endemic to the Ingleton area) is stable.

Deborah Millward, chair of the Yorkshire Dales Biodiversity Forum, said: “The targets that were set were always going to be very ambitious and it has been a real challenge to meet them. The fact we have done so well is a big pat on the back for all the organisations, individuals and landowners who are working so hard together to make the Yorkshire Dales National Park such a special place.”

The Trends and Status Review on biodiversity in the National Park can be viewed on the Authority’s website at www.natureinthedales.org.uk/bap

Last year saw the launch of the Yorkshire Dales Biodiversity Forum’s Nature in the Dales website at www.natureinthedales.org.uk. It showcases local information about 150 of the species and 14 of the habitats found in the special landscape of the National Park and it will be updated with the latest review.