Taking a view across the Natural History of Upper Weardale, Durham Wildlife Trust Director, Jim Cokill, considers the challenges and potential for conservation in the Dale.

Despite being a region that has been cloaked in glacier ice many times during the ice age, the physical landscape of the North Pennines is strongly controlled by the structure of its bedrock.

In an official study most people agreed that natural spaces are good for mental health and wellbeing. More than 40% noticed that nature, wildlife, and visiting local green and natural spaces have been even more important to their wellbeing.

The latest chapter to be uploaded to the Natural History of Upper Weardale is on "Bedrock Geology", what could be described as the foundation of our landscape. What lies beneath the surface shapes and influences what we see above.

Over the coming months further chapters will be available online, following this first Chapter on "people". The Natural History of Upper Weardale will be a valuable companion to the previously published and highly appreciated History of Upper Teesdale.

The Natural History of Upper Weardale will be a valuable companion to the previously published and highly appreciated History of Upper Teesdale.

The magical curlew is the subject of the latest Living Uplands educational resource. This new pack provides for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, with lots of activity and learning for the classroom in school or at home.

Content for the Natural History section of the website has been under development over recent months. First to be added is an online access to the Natural History of Upper Teesdale book, the most recent edition published by Durham Wildlife Trust.

An update on some local charity work to help support local communities and their businesses.

Our photographer kept a diary of a number of Lapwings, from April to June, to add a little colour and additional information to the basic data the annual count provides.

Collated data and research was used to develop a strategy to halt the decline and aid recovery of the water vole across the Tyne, Wear and Tees; and a successful application to National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the Naturally Native project.

Free to use education resource provides teacher plans and pupil activity for Key State 1 & 2. Easy to download. First pack now available, more soon.

Winners and runners-up in the "Views of Weardale" photo competition have each received a canvas copy print of their winning image. We hope that this memento will take pride of place on their walls.

Blanket bog represents around 6% of UK land, and the popular view is that these expanses were created by early human populations clearing forest. Research suggests that climate rather than land-use history might explain blanket bog distribution.

Across four years of data collection, the range of birds counted includes two-thirds that are on either the red or amber BTO endangered list.

Announcing the winners and runners up of our 'Views of Weardale' competition

The promise of new life on the Uplands makes spring an early summer a wonderful time of year.

The third year for Durham Wildlife Volunteers undertaking an Upland bird count.

Exploring the fascinating underworld of the "Hypogenic Caves of the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark"

Exploring the fascinating underworld of the "Hypogenic Caves of the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark"

Returning to count birds for the third year, the young volunteers learned of challenges ahead for endangered birds on the moor.

2018's bitterly cold winter, late spring, and scorching summer meant the breeding pattern for our birdlife was severely disrupted. But a mild autumn and light winter might hold promise for a better 2019.