Conservation ponies at beautiful Bellever
Introducing Bellever
We’ve been managing 82 Hectares of moorland surrounding majestic Bellever Tor since 2008. It sits within a 450 Hectare chunk of land near Postbridge and we have a Higher-Level Stewardship and Educational Access Agreement with Natural England.
As tenants of Forestry England, we combine support for pony keepers while demonstrating the many benefits of heritage Dartmoor ponies as grazing tools.
Educating people for the future and informing
It’s our job to inform and educate people, not just about the ponies and their roles on Dartmoor but also about Dartmoor’s heritage, importance to the environment, and fantastic biodiversity.
We place a special emphasis on the moor’s role in the battle against climate change.
With our help more people than ever value and respect the moorland itself, understanding how vital heritage Dartmoor ponies are to this unique place’s health, welfare and future.
Heritage Dartmoor ponies as skilled land managers
Our herd of heritage Dartmoor Ponies makes an unusually effective land management tool, as we reveal in detail here.
The free grazing and care we provide to a herd of up to 40 Dartmoor Ponies helps keep precious archaeological sites clear, make a huge positive impact on the vegetation and open up the land for more species to flourish.
Our volunteers are high up on Bellever year-round carrying out conservation work. They maintain areas around archaeological sites and work with the Dartmoor National Park Authority to uncover and record new ones.
We do all of this for the long-term benefit of everyone in the UK, as well as the moor itself and the ponies that have helped create its beloved landscapes.
Free guided walks at Bellever
Bellever is a wonderful place to visit. Our free Guided Walks are popular with local residents and visitors alike. To find out more about volunteering and explore more exciting opportunities with our charity, please email us at admin@dpht.co.uk
Our sites at Bellever and Lakehead are recognised for their high biodiversity value and significant archaeological interest, while also offering inspiring educational opportunities.
Bird Surveys
We were thrilled to see such high numbers of red-listed Tree pipits and Winchats.
https://dpht.co.uk/news/bellever-bird-survey-may-2022
Ongoing Bellever Successes
Our management plan is working beautifully even through the busy spring and summer seasons. The glades we’re cutting and ongoing pony grazing continue to improve biodiversity on the site, making it an even more inspiring experience for visitors.