Looking out for Local Wildlife

22 May 2007

In today’s farmed landscaped areas of semi-natural habitat, they provide an invaluable refuge for both animals and plants and are becoming increasingly important in the face of climate change.  Cornwall Wildlife Trust is working with farmers and landowners as part of its County Wildlife Sites project, which recognises the importance of local landowners in maintaining and protecting these valuable areas.

There are over 600 County Wildlife Sites in Cornwall under both public and private ownership.  Although these sites are recognised in Local Development Plans, they are not legally protected as they do not fall under statutory designations such as Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI).  County Wildlife Sites vary tremendously, from small ponds, copses and river valleys, to wetlands and large moors.  Refuges such as these enable species to move about and adapt to changes in their environment.

Liz Cartwright, the Trust’s County Wildlife Site Project Officer said, “We are working with landowners, providing free site visits and assessments to give management advice on how to manage these important wildlife habitats sensitively.  County Wildlife Sites were designated in the 1980s because of their high nature conservation value.  Selection was based on distinctive, important or threatened species and habitats, for example species like otters or the declining marsh fritillary butterfly and habitats such as ancient woodlands and heathland.”  

The Trust’s County Wildlife Sites project has successfully turned around the decline of sites, many of which were lost over recent years due to a number of reasons including neglect, intensification of agriculture, pollution and changes in land use such as development.

Liz continued, “It is a great achievement of both the Trust and landowners working together to protect these important habitats.  The more County Wildlife Sites in Cornwall that are in positive management, the more joined up different habitats will become, making it easier for our species to adapt to climate change.”

If you think your land is designated as  a County Wildlife Site and you are interested in free management advice, then contact Nic Harrison-White at the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) 01872 273939 ext 213 or email wis@cornwt.demon.co.uk. 

For more information on the work of the Trust, visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.

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