The heathland landscape of The Weald, with its late summer bursts of purple heather and yellow gorse, dates back to the Bronze Age. Rare and attractive animals associated with this habitat included insects such as the silver-studded blue butterfly and the brilliant emerald dragonfly, and rare birds such as the Dartford warbler and the nightjar.
More that 78% of this internationally important habitat has disappeared over the last century of the few remaining areas are under threat, largely due to inappropriate management allowing scrub to take over.
This project, funded by HLF’s Tomorrow’s Heathland Heritage programme administered by English Nature, aims to restore and manage the remaining healthland and find ways to link isolated patches to create a heathland network through the landscape.
More than a million people visit The Weald each year, so, to raise awareness of the value of heathland and the need for its protection, leaflets, information boards and website information have been produced.
Last year hundreds of people participated in heathland events and volunteered their time to help with management. At Buchan Country Park volunteers and rangers have cleared invasive plants such as rhododendron and bracken and opened up dense conifer plantations.
At Pembury Heath, a stock-proof enclosure enabled the site to be grazed by pigmy goats that made great inroads into scrub removal over a few months. At St Leonard’s Forest, volunteers created a series of pools for dragonflies and damselflies.
The project has ensured that landowners, local communities and businesses are able to enjoy and protect the heathland wildlife on their doorstep.