Plants and wildlife helped to thrive

Roisin Black in water at Malham Tarn estate

Roísín, a National Trust Ranger in the Yorkshire Dales, recently helped to re-introduce endangered water voles to Malham Tarn. With your support, we can do whatever is needed to protect natural habitats and help wildlife to flourish.

If you’re not already familiar with the landscape of Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales – it’s spectacular, with limestone outcrops, England’s highest freshwater lake, peat bogs and open moorland.

Spectacular view of Malham Tarn Estate and its freshwater lake
Dramatic view of Malham Tarn in Yorkshire
Spectacular view of Malham Tarn Estate and its freshwater lake

Safeguarding this unique place so everyone can experience its breathtaking beauty and rich heritage is vital and all in a day’s work for Roísín, who is a force for nature. She says the area’s peace and tranquillity benefits people in remarkable ways.

" I’ve shown many children their first tadpole and helped some of our older visitors with dementia to unlock their memories of the countryside."
- Róisín Black, Ranger at Malham Tarn Estate

Protecting the area is a constant challenge. A big part of Roísín’s job is helping wildlife to thrive. Roísín’s been instrumental in reintroducing the water vole, one of Britain’s most endangered mammals, back to Malham Tarn. Their numbers were wiped out by mink from local farms in the 1960s. They’re now back where they belong.

Endangered water voles are returning to Malham Tarn
Endangered water voles are returning to Malham Tarn
Endangered water voles are returning to Malham Tarn

Roísín and the team are also busy planting trees and bushes such as hawthorn, willow and juniper, all which would naturally be found around Malham Tarn. They’ll provide crucial shelter for insects, birds and small mammals.

Malham Tarn ranger Roisin Black
Malham Tarn ranger Roisin Black
Malham Tarn ranger Roisin Black

Roísín’s to-do list here is never ending but it’s well worth it. After all, what’s a wildflower meadow without purple orchids, yellow rattle and the constant fizz of grasshoppers? And what would the Yorkshire Dales be without dry stone walls? Not the Yorkshire Dales at all.

Roísín says: 'Even when I’m knee deep in mud, clearing overgrown vegetation to keep our newts and frogs happy, I still think I’ve got the best job in the world.'