Greensand Ridge and Flit Valley | The Wildlife Trusts

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Greensand Ridge (c) Keith Balmer

Where else could you find yellow brain fungus, tussock sedge, chimney sweeper moths, water rails, ladies' bedstraw and conehead bush-crickets?

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

Rising on the chalk of the north Chilterns, the River Flit winds across southern Bedfordshire, from the rich neutral grasslands and ancient woodland at Fancott, past some of the UK’s best alder woods and central England’s finest valley mire at Flitwick, which is fed also by the acid waters of springs sourced in the Greensand Ridge.

Unique and incredibly varied, this Living Landscape encompasses dry and sandy soil, wet woodland, fen, flower meadow and bog... which means that it is brimming with wildlife comprising the unusual, the spectacular, the shy and the downright odd.

Where else in the region could you find yellow brain fungus, tussock sedge, chimney sweeper moths, water rails, ladies' bedstraw and conehead bush-crickets?

The Greensand Ridge is a dominant landscape feature in Bedfordshire that has many woodlands, major parks such as Woburn and relicts of heathland and acid grassland. The small fragments of quality heathland that run along a ridge of acid sandy soils within the scheme will be joined together. With the increased urban development set for the surrounding area, a green space abundant with heather and conifers will be a welcome haven for both wildlife and people.

What’s happening?

This scheme aims to restore a landscape which is rich in wildlife, where sustainable biodiversity hotspots are well-connected by wildlife-friendly corridors and where people can come to enjoy and appreciate nature.

We are working with landowners and users, with local authorities and government agencies to encourage beneficial management and improved understanding.

Start: date: 1990s

Scheme area: 17,000 hectares

Trust reserves within the scheme

Flitwick Moor, Cooper's Hill, Cut Throat Meadow, Old Warden Tunnel, King's Wood and Rammamere Heath

This scheme is helping species including...

Folly Wood, described by Graham Bellamy in 2007 as ‘twenty acres of mossy heaven’ is the most important site for fungi, mosses and liverworts in central England.

This scheme is also...

Helping wildlife adapt to climate change, improving water quality, reducing flood risk, storing carbon, improving access for people, providing recreational opportunities, volunteering opportunities and environmental education.

Partners

Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Local Authorities, The Greensand Trust, Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Boards, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

To find out more

Email: bedfordshire@wildlifebcn.org | Tel: 01234 364213 | Greensand Ridge and Flit Valley

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.