Dover Castle - Kent Wildlife Trust
This scheme aims to establish five strategic core locations with a network of Roadside Nature Reserves in the heart of the Dover area and to restore and recreate a downland mosaic of species rich chalk grassland and ancient woodland habitats.
Description
Ancient semi-natural chalk grassland is a high priority habitat for conservation management. The Dover District Council Local Planning Authority holds a high proportion of old chalk grassland, some of which has become invaded by scrub and alien species of tree and shrub due to decades of neglect and is in danger of being lost for ever, unless active restoration and viable maintenance is effected.
Kent Wildlife Trust is committed to the ongoing core management of the network in Dover: restoring, recreating and extending the project area and safe-guarding as much of this high priority habitat as possible – in accordance with UK and Kent Biodiversity Action Plans for lowland calcareous grassland.
Trust: Kent Wildlife Trust
What’s happening?
Dover Castle entered into Higher Level Stewardship in 2011 and grazing is about to start on the site. It is a flagship site for English Heritage and this particular part of the scheme is being carried out in close partnership with that organisation.
Three core areas have been delivered through Countdown 2010; two more core areas have now been added.
The Trust will be increasing community involvement.
Start date: 2010
Trust reserves within the scheme
Lydden Temple Ewell, Sladden Woods, several Roadside Nature Reserves
This scheme is helping species including...
Chalk grassland flora, wart-biter bush-cricket, Adonis blue, chalkhill blue, brown argus, silver-spotted skipper, marbled white, adder, small blue, white letter hairstreak, straw belle moth, glow worm, lizard orchid, early spider orchid, man orchid, burnt tip orchid, dropwort, grey partridge, peregrine falcon, hobby, yellowhammer, raven.
Current threats to the landscape
- Strong pressure from housing development;
- Pollution from through traffic (Dover Port to London/M20).
This scheme is also...
Helping wildife adapt to climate change, providing habitat for pollinating insects, providing volunteering opportunities.
To find out more, contact
Email: info@kentwildlife.org.uk
Tel: 01227 719506