Dorset Wildlife Trust has been awarded government funding for a project to create and revitalise over 500 hectares of habitats including woodlands and ponds across 18 sites in Dorset. The Species Survival Fund is aimed at helping to halt and reverse the decline in species abundance by preserving vital habitats and creating nature-rich landscapes. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Making Space for Nature project is one of twenty conservation projects across the UK which will each receive a share of the £25 million Species Survival Fund. A wide range of project sites across Dorset include a brand-new nature reserve at Lyscombe, Brownsea Island Lagoon, recently acquired meadow land at Kingcombe National Nature Reserve and near West Holme. The project will restore meadows, wetlands, and orchards and create wood pasture, grasslands, and ponds. All these habitats will drive species recovery.
Photo credit, Dorset Wildlife Trust. Lyscombe, James Burland.
Andrew Pollard, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation said, “Our vision for this project is to create thriving biodiversity hubs which will increase the abundance of wildlife species across Dorset. Nearly 400 hectares of this land has little or no wildlife interest currently and so when it is restored, it will help form new nature recovery networks through the county. The funding will enable us to develop our land management services through which we advise and support neighbouring farmers and landowners with the aim of helping nature to recover, not just on our nature reserves but across the whole landscape. Our thanks go to Defra and The National Lottery for giving us this incredible opportunity to do something positive now to protect the 3,000 species of wildlife in Dorset which have been identified as threatened, rare or protected.”
The project will help Dorset’s rural economy too, by creating four new full-time jobs, plus two traineeship opportunities. Chief Executive, Brian Bleese, Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive said, “These are great career opportunities for people that share our passion and dedication for creating a wilder Dorset; we would like to hear from people who want to make a difference for nature and the environment.” The project will also use locally based contractors for much of the habitat restoration work helping to maintain and strengthen countryside skills. There will be interesting volunteer opportunities and many ways in which local communities can get involved.
This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency
To find out more about the exciting new job roles on offer, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs
Photo credit, Dorset Wildlife Trust. Pond restoration at Powerstock Common, Kingcombe National Nature Reserve, James Cartwright.