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Conservation funds awarded for rare arctic-alpine species in Upper Teesdale project
20th October 2026
Teesdale Special Flora Research and Conservation Trust has been awarded funding from the North Pennines National Landscape through Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for a three-year rare arctic-alpine species recovery project.
The project has been awarded £64,739 and will be delivered in partnership by the Teesdale Special Flora Trust and the North Pennines National Landscape team.
Upper Teesdale is considered one of the top 5 ‘botanical hotspots’ in Britain and Ireland due to its unusually large number of rare plant species, and the fact that plants with very different geographical distributions grow here together.
The Teesdale special flora comprises over 100 plant species of conservation interest, including the Teesdale Assemblage, a unique community of 20 rare and endangered arctic-alpine plants. The ‘Teesdale Assemblage’ of rare plants is considered to have survived continuously since shortly after the last glaciation some 10-12,000 years ago, e.g Spring Gentian* (Gentiana verna), Bird’s-eye primrose (Primula farinosa), Spring sandwort (Minuartia verna) Teesdale violet (Viola rupestris), Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica), Sea thrift (Armeria maritima), Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), False sedge(Carex simpliciuscula) and Teesdale’s Hoary Rock-rose (Helianthemum canum ssp laevigatum), Alpine bartsia, (Bartsia Alpina) Alpine bistort, (Bistorta vivipara) Sea Plantain, (Plantago maritima).
The project will involve the collection of seed from plants in suitable 'hot spots' where populations are large enough. These have been identified from the records of systematic surveys undertaken by the Teesdale Special Flora Trust over a number of years. There will be further mapping of the rare species across the upper Teesdale Assemblage and plug plants will be planted out into management trial plots on the fell.
Volunteers will be provided with training in plant identification, seed collection and propagation, and sowing at the end of the season.
Dr Margaret Bradshaw Founder of Teesdale Special Flora Trust said: The Trust was established to promote research into, and conservation of, the special flora of Upper Teesdale and to raise awareness of the fragility of the special flora and the importance of protecting it. This project is crucial to support the ongoing research and conservation of these rare species.”
This season Patsy Bigley has been working as Botanical Assistant for the Trust. Patsy said: “Plants have always been my passion, and I've trained and worked in horticulture for years before moving into conservation. I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with Upper Teesdale and working with the Trust to help safeguard this rare flora for the future.”
The funding is conditional upon the Trust providing £15,000 supporting funds over three years. Donations to support the work of the Trust in researching and conserving the special flora of Upper Teesdale can be made via the Trust’s website link here:
Sarah Tooze, Programme Manager for Natural Heritage at the North Pennines National Landscape said: “The Upper Teesdale arctic-alpine assemblage is one of the country’s most important groupings of rare wild plants, including over 170 species of plants which are of conservation concern, such as bird’s eye primrose, spring gentian and yellow marsh saxifrage. These plants are identified as champion species of the North Pennines National Landscape in the forthcoming management plan and we have a responsibility to look after them.
“We are looking forward to working with local farmers on ways to support these fragile species. Staff from our team will also support by helping to train volunteers on seed collection.”
ENDS
To view a PDF version of the full press release click the link below.
To support the work of the Teesdale Special Flora Research and Conservation Trust click on the link Save Teesdale's Special Flora - JustGiving
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