COUNTRY LIFE
ting a gate
Volunteers erec
Bouldnor forest
neighbours and local landowners to help
deliver landscape-scale conservation.
For me personally, the change in
roles now means looking after a wider
portfolio of sites with a greater range of
habitats. The sites are smaller than the
likes of Farlington Marshes, but are just
as important for their role in conserving
wildlife. Different sites present fresh
challenges and having the chance to
manage the Island’s reserves is a great
honour.
Every Reserves Officer wants the very
best for their reserves: to maximise
the biodiversity, to create wonderful
landscapes, which are the exemplars of
the habitat type, and to maintain and
sustain these sites for the future. From
this comes the opportunity to inspire
others, be it local landowners, visitors or
education groups. The Island’s reserves
are well sited and in good condition and
can deliver all of the Trust’s objectives.
My personal aim is to enhance the
reserves as much as possible and to
concentrate on the rare, threatened and
vulnerable species. I hope to make the
vision of Living Landscapes really work
by highlighting the Wildlife Trust’s
involvement in the local community and
influencing the wider management of
this fabulous Island.
With new sites come new
opportunities, and with our new nature
reserve at Sandown there is scope for
plenty of creative habitat work on this
wetland system. At Bouldnor Nature
Reserve, there is ongoing heathland
restoration work while at Ningwood, we
look to manage and improve populations
of the reddish buff moth and small pearl
bordered fritillary butterfly. Coppice
regimes at Eaglehead & Bloodstone and
Swanpond copses will continue, whereas
we’ll be managing our reserves at Arreton
and Knighton Downs for their stunning
flora. There are exciting times ahead!
Your local
Wildlife Trust
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Wildlife Trust works to create
a better future for wildlife and
wild places in Hampshire and
the Island. As the leading local
wildlife conservation charity, it
looks after 57 wildlife reserves,
has 28,000 members and 1,000
volunteers. The Trust manages
its own land and advises other
landowners how to manage
their land with wildlife in mind.
Staff and volunteers also carry
out surveys and gather data to
monitor how our local wildlife
is doing.
Beechcroft House, Vicarage
Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire
SO32 2DP
Tel: 01489 774400
www.hiwwt.org.uk
www.visitislandlife.com
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