DPA Joins the Nature2030 Campaign

September 2023 – We are one of the voices alongside Campaign for National Parks, National Trust, RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts calling out for Government to take action to improve the state of nature across England’s protected sites, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These places are meant to be some of the…

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DNPA Wins Backpack Camping Appeal

31st July 2023 – Historic Court of Appeal Ruling Restores Backpack Camping Rights in Dartmoor National Park “We are delighted with the court’s decision today, it is the right and fair judgement for so many that love Dartmoor. It reaffirms that rights are more valuable than mere permissions. The DPA has a long and deep…

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Decision Deferred: the Backpack Camping Appeal Gets its Day in Court

July 2023 – On 18 July the DPA joined a resolute gathering as it took place outside the Royal Courts of Justice, where individuals and organisations stood in solidarity with Right to Roam and The Stars are for Everyone, while the court heard arguments concerning open air recreation and backpack camping in Dartmoor National Park.…

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Drake’s Leat Bracken Cutting

Ken McGuire

June 2023 – The first bracken cutting event of the season for the Volunteers on Drake’s Leat last Friday, with ponies as interested spectators! Roborough Earthworks and around 250m of leat cleared in the day, a good effort by all. Photo taken by Ken McGuire

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Pudsham Orchid Count

On Wednesday 14th June, the DPA volunteers, assisted by volunteers from Devon Wildlife, carried out the annual count of the 4 types of orchid found in profusion in our meadows at Pudsham. It was encouraging to find that, despite the hot, dry weather, the numbers of Greater Butterfly, Southern Marsh, Heath Spotted and Twayblade orchids…

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Pudsham Open Day 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended our open day at Pudsham Hay Meadows on 11th June. The Open Day attracted 39 visitors to see the meadow flowers including a spectacular show of orchids. The oldest visitor was 102 years old! She enjoyed sitting under the awning before heading off to Buckland in the Moor village…

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Backpack Camping Appeal Fundraiser

February 2023 – Dartmoor Preservation Association Launches Official Fundraiser for DNPA Appeal on the Backpack Camping Ban We are campaigning and fundraising to overturn the ban on backpack camping. We are the focus for public support to the National Park’s brave defence of access to the natural world. On 13th Jan 23, the High Court…

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DNPA Votes to Appeal Backpack Camping Ban

April 2023 – Dartmoor Preservation Association Applauds Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Decision to Appeal High Court Backpack Camping Ban The Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) is delighted that the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) has confirmed that they are appealing the High Court decision regarding backpack camping on Dartmoor. The move comes after leave to appeal…

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Open Letter to DNPA Members

January 2023 – DPA Urges DNPA Members to Appeal Backpack Camping Ban in Open Letter. Today the Dartmoor Preservation Association have written an open letter to the National Park Authority calling on them to vigorously appeal the disappointing wild camping judgement. We also remind them that there is 85,000 acres of moor that they could…

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