It was a record breaker when 100 people congregated in the upstairs function room of the Dolphin Hotel Bovey Tracey on the 15th November to hear the findings of Dr Paul Lunt Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Plymouth University and Dru Butterfield from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT).
The research has taken place on the land leased from Forestry England by the DPHT in the areas of Bellever Tor and Laughter Tor near Postbridge.
Dru gave her introduction and explained about the history of the Trust and she highlighted the fact that the findings had been a major team effort.
Paul Lunt then presented his findings based on a study that involves strategically positioned salt blocks being used to attract ponies to targeted areas of Molinia dominated moorland where other management strategies are not sustainable.
The Dartmoor Society is proud to announce that a Natural England ecologist has said “The results of this trial provide good evidence of the positive impact of pony grazing on Molinia”.
The study has now been shared with Defra and it will form part of the body of evidence that will help to shape the future Environmental Land Management System (ELMS).
The event was topped off by an excellent buffet produced by Robert and his team at the Dolphin Hotel.