Helicopters are currently being used on Ilkley Moor to transport stone as part of an on-going project between Bradford Council, Rebel Restoration and Moors for the Future Partnership.
A spokesperson for Moors for the Future said: "The helicopters are currently being used to transport stone to the moors to build gully blocks (mini dams). These dams block channels that have been eroded in the peat, and help to slow the flow of the water from the moors, acting as a flood prevention measure for the valleys below."
Warning signs on Ilkley Moor ask walkers: "for health and safety reasons, please follow the advice given by any works staff."
The current 'helicopter' activity is scheduled to continue until 31st October.
The Moors for the Future website explains the project which will continue though 2025 and beyond:
The project will:
prevent carbon loss
enhance ecosystems and biodiversity
improve water quality
provide resilience to wildfire
provide natural flood management
protect the historic environment
give opportunities for people to connect with nature
The project will do this by:
Identifying where restoration can be implemented
Establishing a baseline evidence dataset for hydrology, biodiversity and carbon
Implementing restoration measures
Monitoring and evidencing restoration measures
Connecting people with nature through a series of engagement activities and media
Between 2023–24 volunteer sphagnum planting days, sponsored by Rebel Restoration and delivering 25,000 plug plants. Moors for the Future Partnership provided assistance on habitat management
In August 2024, work began on the following restoration measures:
Gully blocking with stone, timber, coir and heather dams
Heather cutting
Sphagnum planting
Management on access routes
Tree planting
Sitka Spruce clearance
Bracken management
Alongside these measures, there will be a programme of monitoring work to assess the benefits of the work undertaken, including sphagnum monitoring sponsored by Rebel Restoration.
In 2025 Moors for the Future Partnership will undertake public engagement events with the Bogtastic van and youth engagement visits.
From 2025 and beyond, ongoing maintenance will continue, including heather management, management on access routes and bracken management