DNP ENJOY DARTMOOR 2024 digital - Flipbook - Page 11
The enactment of the National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act in 1949 resulted in the designation of
Dartmoor as a National Park on 30 October. Devon
County Council creates a committee to manage the work
that went with it.
The first Dartmoor Head Warden (Ranger) is appointed. Duties include
recruiting volunteers, opening and signing paths, removing ‘eyesores’ and much more.
The Local Government Act of 1972 leads to the appointment of the first Dartmoor
National Park Officer, Ian Mercer, who held the position until 1990.
The Dartmoor National Park’s head
office is established at Parke, Bovey Tracey,
and remains there to this day.
The passing of the Dartmoor Commons
Act safeguards the interests of the moor and
opens it to public access. The Act creates a new
Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, with powers to
regulate grazing on the moor.
Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act
gives walkers rights to roam on more areas of the
open countryside.
The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project is established to help ensure a viable future for
Dartmoor farmers. The team are actively involved in promoting and supporting the role
agriculture plays on Dartmoor, from food production to the delivery of public goods.
Dartmoor National Park declares
an Ecological and Climate
Emergency – the first National Park
to do so. A climate action plan is put in
place to be carbon neutral by 2025.
Dartmoor National Park joins its nine National
Park counterparts to celebrate 75 years of
national importance and special qualities.
dartmoor.gov.uk
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