The HEDGE Project

Heathland SSSI Management Project in East Dorset

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Project Summary

The HEDGE Project is restoring 4 x SSSI heathland and species-rich grassland sites in East Dorset, just North of Bournemouth in order to improve the natural habitat for a number of rare heathland species of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The Project also runs its own herd of 100 x Native Breed pedigree cattle.

Need to know

  • Start Date: 01/01/2018
  • End Date: 31/12/2018
  • County: Dorset
  • Organisation Name: The HEDGE Project
  • Project Category: Improving habitats,Other

 

Project Description

The HEDGE Project (Heathland in East Dorset, Grazing Enhancement) continues to restore 500 Acres of SSSI heathland and species-rich grassland in East Dorset in order to improve the natural habitat for a number of rare heathland species of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The Project runs its own fleet of 100 Native Breed pedigree cattle and also provides conservation grazing services to the National Trust on a further 1,100 acres of their SSSI heathland at Holt Heath.

Most of the land is designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which incorporates classic Dorset heathland with a mix of woodlands, wet and dry heathland and some species-rich wildflower grazing pastures. Our base is Candlewick Cottage Farm which is a small Soil Association certified organic farm with native breed cattle grazing throughout the year. We are located close to Wimborne in East Dorset, just to the North of Poole/Bournemouth and very close to West Moors.

We have a well-established, friendly group of volunteer supporters from the local community who meet weekly to help us out with a wide range of conservation activities. We also host student placements from Kingston Maurward College and Bournemouth University for those considering a career in the conservation sector. We have something for everyone whether you can spare a day, a week or a month.