Rebuilding biodiversity in north Wiltshire
The Landscapes for Wildlife Project aims to expand and link together scattered areas of land that is rich in wildlife in the ancient royal hunting Forest of Braydon in North Wiltshire.
This is part of the vision of sustainably rebuilding the landscape into one that is vibrant with wildlife.
Covering nearly eight thousand hectares of land between Brinkworth in the south and Ashton Keynes in the north, and between Purton in the east and Charlton in the west; the project is taking a targeted approach to restoring, recreating and linking habitats, so that wildlife will be more able to survive the changes and uncertainties that it might face in the future.
Broadleaved woodland, as well as hay meadows and pastures, are the main focus for the project, but ponds and hedges are also important habitats for the wildlife that make up the landscape of this area.
Using a carefully prepared methodology developed by the South West Wildlife Trusts, Strategic Nature Areas have been identified within the project boundary within which a concentration of effort will bring most wildlife gain.
With the help of grant schemes such as Environmental Stewardship and the English Woodland Grant Scheme, we are now encouraging farmers and landowners to enhance their land for wildlife without incurring any extra financial burden. The project offers free advice on these schemes and also has a small grant scheme for capital works that is available to those ineligible for government funding. We can arrange to survey land for wildlife and advise on monitoring its progress. Other support on offer is in organising volunteering groups for help with small tasks and in sourcing local wildflower seed for meadow recreation and restoration.
For more information please contact the project officers:
North Wilts Rebuilding Biodiversity Project Officer -Paul Darby 01380 725670 ext:237 Rebuilding Biodiversity Project Assistant – Rob Nicholls 01380 725670 ext: 299
Use the email form below to contact Paul Darby
The Landscapes for Wildlife Project works closely with the Wildlife Sites Project, Swindon Wildlife Project and the Water for Wildlife Project to secure the future for wildlife in Wiltshire.
This project also contributes towards delivery of the Cotswold Water Park BAP, the UK Species Action Plans for Marsh Fritillary (Eurodryas aurinia), Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris), Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus), Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), and Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus); and the UK BAP habitat action plans for lowland broadleaved woodland, ancient species rich hedgerows, lowland neutral grassland and standing open water.
The project is also closely involved in the following areas of Trust work:
Biodiversity Action Planning
Reviewing & Responding to Planning Applications
Biological Recording
The Landscapes for Wildlife Project would like to thank the Tubney Charitable Trust, Wiltshire Council, The Keepers Trust and the Hills Group for their financial support and encouragement.
Project partners include: North Wiltshire District Council, Wiltshire County Council, Natural England, The Forestry Commission, Forest Enterprise, Butterfly Conservation, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Great Western Community Forest, Cotswold Water Park Society, The Woodland Trust, and the Wiltshire Bat Group
The Landscapes for Wildlife Project produces a free twice-yearly newsletter distributed to all known farmers and land managers in the project area. To download a copy of the latest newsletter please click below.