More nature, everywhere: raising a million pounds to restore Herefordshire’s wildlife
Great Britain is now classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries and nearly one in six species are currently threatened with extinction. In Herefordshire, once common, iconic species such as turtle dove and nightingale are already locally extinct, while others, such as curlew, water vole and adder, remain only in small, isolated populations, and are on the brink of being lost from our county.
Recovering our landscapes
Herefordshire holds within its borders a treasure trove of characterful landscapes, each providing distinct habitats for a wealth of wildlife. However, our landscapes and wildlife face threats from intensive, unsustainable agricultural practices, increased development pressures, pollution and extreme and changing weather. These conditions all contribute to the biodiversity crisis with devastating declines in the abundance, distribution and diversity of species.
£1 million will allow us to think big and develop large-scale programmes to bring back wildlife, recover key landscapes and reconnect our communities with nature.
The Woolhope Dome perhaps best captures the essence of the Herefordshire landscape. Villages and small farms nestle amongst a patchwork of small fields, woodlands and orchards through which well-worn footpaths wind.
A fascinating geological area made up of concentric rings of alternate limestones and shales, the variety of aspects, slopes and soils here has created a unique combination of important habitats. These include ancient woodland, grasslands rich in wildflowers, traditional orchards and winding streams.
The Woolhope Dome is one of the last places in the country where all these habitats can still be found together and it is believed to be home to over half the species found anywhere in the UK.
To ensure the special habitats and wildlife of the Woolhope Dome are not lost to the pressures that are squeezing our landscapes on all sides, we need to partner with local communities, landowners and other organisations, build on past and continuing conservation efforts and, together:
create well-managed, connecting corridors between the remaining woods and orchards;
increase the number of meadows and pastures which are species-rich with diverse wildflowers and grasses;
improve woodland management, adding wide rides and glades, to increase habitat for woodland butterflies and other species;
support landowners to plant and manage orchards to best benefit wildlife;
restore and expand populations of key species such as the wood white butterfly, lesser spotted woodpecker and dormouse.
Donations made to the Nature Recovery Fund appeal will contribute towards our charitable objectives and the recovery of nature in Herefordshire. Donations will be classed as 'unrestricted' and may be used to progress project development in any of our three focused areas of species recovery, landscape recovery and connecting communities.
Read more about the actions the Nature Recovery Fund will support in the case studies below
I have known and enjoyed The Woolhope Dome area since 1960 and regard it as very important for wildlife and so am pleased to be able to help conserve its wildlife.
