|
 |
|
BBOWT welcomes support for our ongoing work throughout our three counties, but we often have specific projects that need help. Two of the Trust’s most urgent current priorities are:
|
| Chilterns Chalk Grassland Project – fundraising target: £17,000 |
|
Chalk grassland has been described as the European equivalent of tropical rainforest because of the diversity of its plants and also its rarity. Over 80% of the UK’s chalk grassland has been lost in the past 60 years with the loss of associated species, such as chalk grassland butterflies, as a result. The Chilterns are home to some of the finest chalk grassland in the country and BBOWT is determined to help preserve it.
A new project started this year will work on 12 BBOWT nature reserves in the Chilterns. We will improve over 30 hectares of existing grassland and restore nine hectares of new chalk grassland by:
|
- training new and existing volunteers to help us with the work
- installing 7,500 metres of fencing, as well as new stock pens, drinking troughs and mobile bowsers so that we can graze the land with cows, sheep and ponies – a traditional management technique.
|
|
We will also support and encourage local landowners to manage their chalk grassland in a way that has maximum benefits for wildlife. In years to come, we hope that this wonderful habitat flourishes across the entire area of the Chilterns.
|
Links
Further details about this project |
|
West Berkshire Living Landscape Project – fundraising target: £54,000
|
|
Covering just over 27 square kilometres near Newbury and Thatcham, the West Berkshire Living Landscape incorporates:
|
- Greenham and Crookham Commons, the county's largest remaining area of lowland heathland.
- Thatcham Reedbeds, the largest remaining inland reedbed in southern England.
- Bowdown Woods, one of the areas many ancient semi-natural woodlands.
|
|
Over recent years, these once widespread habitats have been destroyed by development, intensive agriculture and mismanagement. For example, just 2% of Berkshire’s heathland that was present in 1760 exists today. As such, the wildlife that relies on the habitats for survival has become increasingly rare.
BBOWT is working with West Berkshire Council to improve the special habitats within the Living Landscape. Between 2010 and 2012, we will restore 13 hectares of precious heathland – helping rare species such as nightjar, linnet, cuckoo, grayling butterfly and common lizard. We have received generous support from Grantscape, SITA Trust and Biffaward through the Landfill Communities Fund to start the exciting project. We now need your help to raise the remaining shortfall.
- £15 would pay for one bow saw that volunteers could use to help manage woodland and heathland
- £175 would enable one conservation trainee to undertake First Aid training
To make a donation to either of these projects, please contact one of our Fundraising Managers:
Ruth Grice on 01865 775776
|
|
|
|
|
| back to top |
|
