Our Programmes

The Our Upland Commons project aimed to protect and enhance the cultural and natural heritage of upland commons in England, focusing on Dartmoor, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Shropshire Hills. By fostering collaborative management, supporting traditional skills, and promoting nature conservation, it addressed challenges to commoning while encouraging public engagement with these vital landscapes.  

The Better Outcomes on Upland Commons pilot project aimed to enhance the ecological, agricultural, and cultural value of England’s upland commons through collaborative land management practices. We engaged farmers, conservationists, and the public in activities such as habitat restoration, carbon storage, and educational events, striving to secure the future of these landscapes amidst evolving agricultural policies and environmental challenges.

The DEFRA Common Land Test and Trial project examined how future Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes could work across six diverse commons: Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor, Shropshire Hills, Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria Fells, and North Pennines. The trial focused on multipartite agreements and integration between commons and individual farm systems to maximise public benefits and sustainability. You can explore the final report. 

This project fostered networking among young commoners to help them connect, share knowledge, and adapt traditional farming systems to modern times. It aimed to strengthen community ties and safeguard cultural heritage by supporting sustainable practices and preserving local traditions. These networks ensure the next generation can maintain these vital systems and by doing so avoid the challenges of re-establishing them once they have been lost. 

Foundation for Common Land are supervising a new PhD research project in collaboration with National Trust and the University of Exeter that is all about working with commoners and other groups in the Lake District to co-design a future for upland landscapes that meets the needs of people, nature and climate.