Cassop to Kelloe Corridor | The Wildlife Trusts

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bluemoorgrass, CassopandKelloe LL project, Durham WT, cpt Mark Richardson

The project aims to reconnect the fragmented grasslands and provide an amenity for local communities and visitors

Durham Wildlife Trust

Enhancing the grasslands and fens in the heart of County Durham, this scheme will return this precious area of magnesian limestone grassland and fens to its past glory as a way of saving its rare species and creating an important open space for local people to enjoy.

Around the villages of Cassop and Kelloe in County Durham are some of the few areas of magnesian limestone grassland found in the UK. The project aims to reconnect the fragmented grasslands and provide an amenity for local communities and visitors.

Virtual tour by Mike McFarlane

What's happening?

We will expand the existing grasslands and connect them. By purchasing or helping others to manage the land for wildlife, we will create ‘wildlife corridors’ and a network of habitats.

As part of the small pearl-bordered fritillary project we aim to grow over 10,000 marsh violets, Viola palustris, over this winter (2010).

The beck is liable to flooding but by improving the surrounding fens we will install a natural flood defence.

By purchasing or helping others to manage the land for wildlife, we will create ‘wildlife corridors’ and a network of habitats

Start: date: 2005
Scheme area: 160 hectares
Trust reserves within the scheme: Town Kelloe Bank and Raisby Hill Grassland
This scheme is helping species including rock rose, carline thistle, blue moor grass, northern brown argus butterfly, dingy skipper butterfly and glow-worm.
Current threats to the landscape include habitat fragmentation.
This scheme is also helping wildlife adapt to climate change, reducing flood risk, improving access for people, providing health benefits and encouraging green tourism.

Partners

Natural England, Local Authorities, Durham Biodiversity Partnership.

More information

Sue Charlton at Durham Wildlife Trust (0191 5843112 scharlton@durhamwt.co.uk) or Durham County Council rangers (0191 3835704)

Visit Cassop to Kelloe Corridor and Durham Wildlife Trust

Living Landscapes

Find out more about our Living Landscape conservation work - targeting areas for landscape-scale nature conservation and transforming places for people and wildlife.