The BMC has produced a new guide to crag and habitat management, which gives essential guidance for people wanting to restore the climbing at their favourite crag without damaging its wildlife features.

This handy 'how to' guide for conservation work at your local crag was produced in collaboration with conservation bodies - Natural England, The National Trust, The Forestry Commission and The Countryside Council for Wales. It is bang up-to-date and packed with good advice and examples of what can be achieved.

Many once-popular cliffs have become neglected, overgrown and inaccessible for reasons such as changes in climate and climbing trends. Many of these crags could benefit from being ‘opened-up’. Sensitive management work such as scrub clearance or managing invasive plants can be very beneficial for wildlife, but ill-informed actions can be destructive and even illegal.

The BMC’s new guide gives useful information on the important planning stage of any management work, explains scientific designations and conservation law and lists useful consultees. The guide contains examples of work carried out by BMC volunteers together with nature conservation bodies.

Examples include recent work at Cheddar Gorge, Bulls Hollow, High Rocks and Tremadog. All projects have proven beneficial to landscape, wildlife, geology and climbing, and helped to develop strong partnerships between climbers, conservationists, and landowners.

Guy Keating, Access and Conservation Officer for the BMC said: “The guide should be a first port of call for climbers wishing to undertake any restoration work. It's vital that we work with the right people to do the best job for recreation and conservation. The examples in this guide illustrate that climbers can make a positive impact on the local crag environment.”

Simon Lee, Land Management Officer for Natural England said: “As well as enhancing the recreational value of Cheddar Gorge, the climbing community have made a significant contribution to sustaining the area’s special wildlife and landscape.”

The new guide is available to download here. Printed copies are also available from the BMC office by contacting 0161 445 6111 or emailing office@thebmc.co.uk

Note to media: A press pack containing a full press release and photographs is available to download from the Press Centre.

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