Monday,
28 January 2019 - Environment
SURREY
Wildlife Trust’s management of Whitmoor Common, the largest area of open
heathland in the Guildford area, has been awarded the highest standard for
heathland management by Natural England.
The
Dartford warbler, an indicator species for biodiversity, and the window-winged
caddis fly are just two species to benefit from the rare lowland heathland,
which is now in favourable condition.
The success
of Surrey Wildlife Trust’s management at Whitmoor Common has improved the
ecology of three-quarters of the 183-hectare reserve. Landscape scale scrub
clearance by contractors in winter, cattle grazing, the Trust’s volunteer work,
specialist conservation work and support from Whitmoor Common Association have
all contributed to the ecological improvements.
Katy
Fielding, Surrey Wildlife Trust liaison officer at Whitmoor Common, said:
“Lowland heathland is rarer than rainforest and Britain holds 20 per cent of
this resource in Europe, so we have a real responsibility to look after it.
“Our hard
work building up the mosaic of habitats and micro habitats, together with the
diversity in age and structure of gorse, heather and woodland is creating the optimum
conditions for wildlife.’
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