A GREENFIELD beauty spot has been shortlisted for a prestigious European conservation award and needs public votes to help clinch the top place.
Dovestone is one of five finalists in the conservation category of the Natura 2000 Awards, which recognise the best environmental projects across Europe.
Natura 2000 works to ensure the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats, and is the centrepiece of the EU’s nature and biodiversity policy.
Dovestone is part of the South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation for birds, and Special area for Conservation for the blanket bog and associated habitats.
Dave O’Hara, from RSPB, said: “The changes we are seeing at Dovestone are quite ground-breaking.
“Our blanket bogs and wider upland landscape have been damaged and stripped of diversity for a long time, so it is quite striking how quickly nature can begin to recover where the will is there to make it happen.
“From Sphagnum planting to tree planting and showing people peregrines and mountain hares to picking up litter, it is all helping improve our site.”
Votes can be cast online until May 8.
There are four other categories – communication, socio-economic benefits, reconciling interests/perceptions and cross-border cooperation and networking – and the application with the most votes overall will also win the European Citizens’ Award.
Winners will be announced at a special Ceremony on 23 May 2016.
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