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United Kingdom: Rooted in the land and thinking at landscape scale – with Mark Owen and Naomi Oakley

United Kingdom: Rooted in the land and thinking at landscape scale – with Mark Owen and Naomi Oakley – European Commons and OECMsThis article was adapted by Diana Neacsu from an interview with Naomi Oakley and Mark Owen by Harriet Fraser

Photo: Mark and Naomi on their farm ©Foundation for Common Land

Mark Owen and Naomi Oakley live at Challacombe Farm, a Duchy of Cornwall farm near Postbridge, where Naomi has lived since the age of six. Together they farm organic hardy native beef cattle and Icelandic cross Shetland sheep. And now they are at the heart of an exciting group – the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project – rethinking attitudes and practices of land use in central Dartmoor.

The Future of Dartmoor’s Commons

Mark Owen and Naomi Oakley are part of a group working together to reshape the approach to land use on Dartmoor, through the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project. The group comprising farmers and landowners will be working together to develop a 20-year vision for roughly 90 square miles of central Dartmoor, and will create a plan that builds on good practice and enacts change at scale. In the next 2 years, the group will be forming a plan to fit within the UK government’s Landscape Recovery Scheme, which supports large-scale environmental initiatives aimed at improving biodiversity and addressing climate change. If successful the group will begin a 20-year project, supporting farmers and rural communities and a thriving landscape.

Photo: No rainbows without rain © Naomi Oakley and Mark Owen

The Need for Change

“Change is coming,” says Mark. Farmers and conservationists alike are dissatisfied with the current situation, and there is a shared desire to reverse the biodiversity decline seen over the past 70 years. The farmers involved in this project, like Mark and Naomi, want to adopt more sustainable practices—both financially and environmentally—while maintaining vibrant rural communities. They are driven by the need to respond to modern challenges like climate change and food security while preserving Dartmoor’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

Photo: Collaboration for Conservation © Naomi Oakley and Mark Owen

The Landscape Recovery project builds on the work of the Central Dartmoor Farm Cluster, a group of farmers who have been collaborating to enhance wildlife habitats on their farms. With Mark as the Cluster’s secretary, they have focused on improving species-rich meadows, ancient woodlands, and upland pastures. Their approach is tailored to Dartmoor’s unique environment, such as using specialized seed mixes suited to the cold and wet conditions of the moor, rather than standard solutions that may not work in their landscape. This project is about a holistic approach to land management that balances food production with environmental conservation. Farmers are working together with major landowners, including the Duchy of Cornwall and Devon Wildlife Trust, to manage not only private farmland but also Dartmoor’s vast commons.

Photo: Naomi and Mark with sheep on the road © Naomi Oakley and Mark Owen

A Systems Approach to Land Management

Naomi emphasizes that the Landscape Recovery project’s success lies in its systems approach. Instead of focusing on individual parcels of land, the project considers the entire landscape. This collaboration includes around 35 farmers, the majority of whom are Duchy tenants, as well as those responsible for managing the Forest of Dartmoor—an area of common land grazed by over 70 farmers. This collective effort allows for a more coordinated approach to tackling biodiversity loss, climate resilience, and public access, which are central to the long-term vision of the project.

Focus on planning

Over the next two years, the group will create a detailed plan for the next 20-30 years, setting key milestones and allocating resources. Flexibility is key, allowing for new farmers to join and existing ones to step out if needed. The challenges they face are complex—managing problematic issues such as the domination of Molinia grass, rewetting peatlands, expanding meadows, and improving public access—all while keeping farming sustainable for the next generation. One of the biggest questions is funding. Although the government will provide a significant portion, the group will also need to secure private investment to ensure the project’s long-term success.

Legacy and the Importance of Farmers

Photo: Orchid and beetle / Butterfly © Naomi Oakley and Mark Owen

For Mark and Naomi, this project is about creating a lasting legacy. Their passion for the land and its future is clear. Naomi speaks of the joy she feels when rare species, like the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, on their farm, and Mark is eager to ensure that farmers see themselves as central to the landscape’s future. “Celebrating specialness is important,” Mark says, “and it’s also important that farmers see themselves as central to that.” Their work is not just about preserving the past but adapting on an ongoing basis, as external factors change. Through collaboration, innovative approaches, and a deep respect for the land, they aim to pass on a thriving, biodiverse Dartmoor to future generations.

Conclusion

Mark and Naomi’s dedication to developing the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project shows how individuals deeply rooted in their land can drive meaningful change. Their commitment to collaboration with farmers and landowners is strong, and emphasises the value of cultural knowledge and a sense of belonging: it isn’t just about reversing biodiversity loss or tackling climate challenges—it’s about tending to a way of life that balances nature and farming.

For them, it’s about legacy. By rethinking traditional practices and working together, they’re part of a collective journey to help make sure that Dartmoor’s landscapes, its wildlife, and its communities can thrive side by side. Their story is a testament to the power of people who care deeply for the land they call home, and who channel their passion into action, for sustainable upland landscapes.

 

Read more about Naomi and Mark here.