Natural England has announced that it is to invest more than £3m to help preserve and enhance more than 5,500 hectares (13,591 acres) of Yorkshire moorland over the next ten years.

The funding will be paid through a green-farming scheme administered by the natural environment agency to encourage landowners and graziers to help protect heather and footpaths on Ilkley and North York Moors for the benefit of wildlife and the public. Plans include controlling sheep numbers to allow ground nesting birds such as the red grouse and the curlew to flourish, while footpaths and gates will be upgraded to improve public access to the moorland.

Both Ilkley and North York Moors incorporate specially designated areas, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, as well as Open Access land that enables people to explore the moors without needing to remain on footpaths. Poul Christensen, acting chair of Natural England, said: "The windswept beauty of moorland areas, the cotton grass and the cry of the curlew that add to their appeal are what these schemes are here to protect and enhance.

"Green farming schemes not only help to protect our wildlife and support farming enterprises, they also provide people with more opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural environment."