Managing Cornwall Wildlife Trust Nature reserves

Woodlands

The most traditional form of management the Trust undertakes on its woodland reserves is the coppicing of trees. This is carried out at Devichoys Wood and Cabilla & Redrice Woods. On both sites there has been a history of coppicing and this form of management is being reinstated. Different areas or 'coups' are cut each year and this creates a varied structure within the woods, letting in light and promoting a flourishing woodland flora. Insects, especially butterflies, occupy the new sunny areas created by coppicing and this provides food for woodland birds.

Coppice management would have been targeted to produce specific lengths of timber for use in mining, etc, and although the Trust does not carry out this practice for a particular market none of the cut material goes to waste. Uses include charcoal production, firewood, and providing a sustainable source of construction materials for work on the reserves. Any wood left over is stacked on the reserves, where it provides a valuable habitat for invertebrates and fungi. Certain non-native species are removed from woodland reserves, including rhododendron, laurel, sycamore and beech.

Wetlands

Many of the Trust’s reserves can be considered 'wet' but specific wetland management includes pond creation, ditch clearance and reed cutting. New ponds are created in preference to clearing existing ones, creating a varied mix of open water and ponds that are vegetating over. Ditches are cleared where necessary to maintain water levels and prevent flooding and this work is carried out with a minimum of disturbance to wildlife. Winter and summer reed cutting also takes place. Although reedbed is a relatively rare habitat in Cornwall, reeds are cut in some places to prevent them from spreading and also to create variety within the reedbeed in terms of structure and opportunities for other plant species.

Grasslands

Much of the grassland on Trust nature reserves is wet and boggy, such as the culm at Greena Moor and the wet meadows at Redlake Cottage Meadows, where the rare heath lobelia can be found. What these sites have in common is the need for grazing - and the dominance of scrub if this grazing is neglected. Much effort has been put into making reserves suitable for grazing with the installation of fencing and water supplies. Grazing is considered the most sustainable form of management for these sites as cutting tends to be very labour intensive and is often ongoing. With suitable stock at the right time of year, scrub encroachment is checked and the grassland can develop a structure that benefits birds, mammals, invertebrates and a varied flora. Local grazing is always sought, but where this is not possible the Trust has its own flock of Hebridean sheep and works closely with the owners of a large herd of Exmoor ponies.

Heathlands

Heathlands have developed where forest clearance on poor and acid soils has been followed by centuries of grazing, sometimes with frequent burning. On Trust nature reserves scrub invasion, together with over- or under-grazing are often the main issues to tackle. As with grassland management, getting the grazing right is the key to habitat management here.

Geology

Reserves are owned and managed for both biological and geological features of interest. The Trust has two geological reserves that were acquired specifically for their earth science interest. Tresayes Quarry and St Erth Pits are important for the continued research into Cornwall's geology and provide an excellent educational resource. Tresayes is a County Geological Site (CGS). These were formerly known as Regionally Important Geological/ geomorphological Sites (RIGS), of which there are over 100 in Cornwall. There are a number of CGS sites on other reserves and the Cornwall RIGS group advises the Trust on the appropriate management of these.

Archaeology

The Trust has many nationally important archaeological features on its land. The old gunpowder works at Kennall Vale is a nationally important monument and the site is also a wonderful nature reserve. The old mills and leat system nestle into the river valley and are surrounded by woods teeming with wildlife. These features rarely conflict with the conservation objectives of the nature reserve and those such as the Quoit and Castle at Chûn Downs and the Bronze Age platform cairn at Priddacombe Downs add extra interest for visitors. Expert archaeological advice is always sought for the management of these features and is incorporated into the Trust's work plans.

Access

People are a very important factor in managing the Trust's nature reserves whether they are from the local community and use the reserve daily or just a casual visitor. Access for visitors is a high priority, as is ensuring that their enjoyment of the nature reserve is maximised. The majority of Trust nature reserves are open all year round and only a few require a permit to visit. Where access is restricted this is done so in order to protect the wildlife. Dogs are not allowed on some reserves but are permitted on the majority provided they are kept on a lead.

Facilities such as signs, information boards, way-marked trails and boardwalks are installed and maintained to guide visitors. Where possible, access for the less able is provided.

Volunteers

Local people play a vital role in looking after our nature reserves. Most reserves have at least one volunteer warden, normally someone who lives close by and regularly visits the site. The help of volunteer wardens is invaluable, because they act as the Trust's eyes and ears on the ground, reporting any problems and providing an important link into the local community. Many put in hours of work and provide vital wildlife records for the Trust.

The Trust has a number of Local Groups across the county comprised of people with an interest in wildlife in their area. These groups like to get involved in their local nature reserves and often carry out practical tasks and fundraising for their management.

Staff from the Reserves Section organise regular PARC (Practical Action on Reserves in Cornwall) tasks where volunteers can join in with reserves management - this is a great way of really getting to know the nature reserves.

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