UK’s Largest Upland Education Initiative Celebrates 10 Years of Inspiring Young Minds

Let's Learn Moor, the UK's largest annual upland education initiative, returns in next week  as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of connecting young people with the country's unique moorland landscapes, wildlife and rural communities.

Over the past decade, the project has introduced almost 14,000 children to the importance of moorland conservation, biodiversity and land management, helping to foster a greater understanding of the countryside and the people who care for it.

Let’s Learn Moor is a collaborative educational project with events facilitated by the Regional Moorland Groups and private estates across northern England with the support of more than 50 other partners. The project is overseen by BASC and made possible by accessing BASC’s legacy fund.

As the programme marks its milestone year, close to 2,500 children from more than 70 schools are expected to attend events across eight venues, making 2026 one of the largest years in the initiative's history. 

Let's Learn Moor provides an unrivalled opportunity for children from urban and rural communities to meet the people and organisations dedicated to protecting and managing the UK's treasured upland landscapes. The project brings together gamekeepers, National Park staff, farmers, emergency services, water companies, conservation organisations and many others, all sharing their knowledge, expertise and passion with the next generation.

Through a series of immersive, hands-on experiences, children discover the unique habitats and species that make the uplands so special. They walk across spongy sphagnum mosses that form part of the UK's largest terrestrial carbon store, encounter insect-eating sundew plants, hear the distinctive calls of curlew and red grouse, spot birds of prey soaring overhead and meet the hardy Swaledale sheep that have shaped these landscapes for centuries.

The programme continues to provide opportunities for children who may otherwise have little chance to experience these environments firsthand, helping them develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world and the challenges involved in conserving it for future generations.

Since its launch, Let's Learn Moor has become a flagship countryside education programme, introducing thousands of children to the environmental, cultural and economic importance of the UK's uplands. 

Curtis Mossop, BASC's head of training, education and outreach, said: "Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Let's Learn Moor is a significant milestone for everyone involved in the project. What began as a relatively small initiative has grown into the UK's largest upland education programme, thanks to the commitment of the Regional Moorland Groups, private estates, Countryside Learning and our many partner organisations.

"Over the past decade, Let's Learn Moor has given almost 14,000 young people the opportunity to visit and learn about moorland environments, many for the very first time. We are particularly proud that so many participants come from urban areas and may not otherwise have the chance to experience these landscapes or meet the people who live and work within them.

"Education plays a vital role in helping young people understand the countryside and their place within it. Whether learning about protecting ground-nesting birds, understanding wildfire risks, or exploring the importance of biodiversity, these experiences help equip children with the knowledge to make informed decisions and become responsible custodians of the natural world in the future." 

Let's Learn Moor 2026 will take place from Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July at eight locations across northern England.