A CONSERVATION project to protect wildlife habitats has been awarded a grant of more than £300,000.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has given the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is based in Stanhope, £316,300 for WildWatch North Pennines.
The three-year project allows a network of volunteer wildlife groups to record and conserve areas of biodiversity within the area.
The North Pennines AONB landscape is made up of heather moors, dales, haymeadows and upland rivers and is home to a wealth of wildlife.
However, information about many habitats and species is sparse, making conservation difficult.
Over the course of the project, up to five volunteer groups and 150 people will be trained to survey and record the surrounding area.
An online portal will be created for volunteers to record their data and share it with communities and conservation organisations. This data will help inform ongoing conservation efforts and help the long-term survival and protection of the area and its wild inhabitants.
Activities for volunteers and trainees will include learning how to identify grassland fungi, analysing bat sound recordings and running moth traps.
The public will be asked to report sightings of more obvious animals such as adders and hedgehogs.
Ivor Crowther, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund NorthEast, said: "This stunning landscape gives so much to so many people, be that beautiful views or a chance to get up close with some of the North of England's most precious wildlife.
"This project will ensure that as many people as possible get the opportunity to get involved with this special area and help protect it for future generations.
"The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be involved with this project and know it will be a great success."
Chris Woodley-Stewart, director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: "There really is something for everyone in this project, from those with little or no experience of wildlife spotting to those who are accomplished recorders.
"The spirit of the project is about everyone sharing their experience and knowledge and learning from each other as we go.
"Those who want to get really involved will be able to join or form a local group, get training from expert practitioners, and take part in organised surveys or practical conservation work to help the North Pennines."
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