A DIVERSE range of events have been taking place on Ilkley Moor during June, organised by the Friends of Ilkley Moor.

There was a Nordic Fitness Walk, which all participants had a great time on. It is a total body version of walking with the use of poles meaning the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs.

The second event provided an introduction to the ecology, mapping, surveying and conservation of the peatland habitat on Ilkley Moor. The event covered the identification, distribution and status of peatland, relevant legislation, habitat requirements and threats to habitat survival. People were taken to the upper slopes of Ilkley Moor to undertake mapping of the extent of the peatland and the biological recording of fauna and flora. Mobile ArcGIS apps were used. This event collected biological records as part of the Big Ilkley Moor Survey.

The third event, Heathland Conservation was held to give people an opportunity to help control bracken on the lower slopes of the moor. Bracken is a very successful plant that covers large areas of the moor. Controlling bracken helps to keep access routes clear and open; and provides a beautiful display of the heathland flora. Eight volunteers worked hard to clear bracken from an area on the moor important for it wetland plant species.

The fourth event was a wildlife identification and survey for white-clawed crayfish. This was a night time survey which provided an introduction to the ecology, surveying and conservation of the only species of crayfish native to Britain. The event covered the identification, distribution and status of the white-clawed crayfish, relevant legislation, habitat requirements and threats to species survival especially from the red signal crayfish. People walked through a section of the black beck as it runs through Hebers Gyhll to search for evidence of crayfish using the torch survey methodology. This event collected actual biological records as part of the Big Ilkley Moor Survey.

The events programme and heritage walks can be downloaded from the FOIM website www.ilkleymoor.org or collected from Ilkley Information Centre and shops in the Town.