Member Article

Protect vanishing wildlife havens

The UK Wildlife Trusts have published a new on-line guide which highlights the vital importance of Local Wildlife Sites across the country and gives advice to landowners, developers and volunteers on how to protect such valuable areas.

Local Wildlife Sites support a huge array of wildlife, but lack the status of national wildlife sites and therefore do not always benefit from the recognition needed to ensure protection and the right kind of care.

The Wildlife Trusts’ report, ‘Secret Spaces: The status of England’s Local Wildlife Sites 2014’, drew on evidence which suggests that more than 10% of the 6,590 Local Wildlife Sites monitored have been lost or damaged in the preceding five years, and with predicted growth in housing, new roads and other infrastructure all set to increase, wildlife is becoming increasingly vulnerable.

In this region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has over 3,900 hectares of reserves which include a number of Local Wildlife Sites including Big Waters and Fencerhill Woods in Newcastle and Priestclose Wood, which is close to the centre of Prudhoe, the Evelyn Howick Memorial Reserve in Howick and Little Harle Pasture, which lies south-east of Kirkwhelpington.

Rachel Hackett, Living Landscapes Development Manager, explains: “The Wildlife Trusts hope to inspire landowners, planners, local authorities, statutory agencies, developers, managers and volunteers to recognise, cherish and protect these wild havens.

Duncan Hutt, Head of Land Management at Northumberland Wildlife Trust says: “Local Wildlife Sites form a vital network of wild habitats which, together, make up the very core of our natural heritage - we must value and protect them if we are to ensure a healthy future for wildlife.

“Local Wildlife Sites are often the places we all know in our neighbourhoods from wildlife-rich hedgerows and roadsides to commons and green open spaces in our towns and cities. If you own or manage one, contact Northumberland Wildlife Trust for expert advice or advice on surveys and management options.”

The on-line guide can be downloaded at:

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/files/LocalWildlifeSites%20_ShortGuide.pdf

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .