COUNTRY LIFE
Castle Copse - our new
East Cowes woodland
Gift to Nature is responsible for a variety of conservation sites
around the Island, it is their mission to not only care for the
Island’s wildlife but encourage everyone to get out and explore
our fantastic countryside.
In April, Island 2000 Trust took
ownership of the small woodland,
Castle Copse, between Sylvan
Drive, St James Church and
Victoria Walk, the new residential
development in East Cowes. The
site has for some years been hidden
away behind the famous blue
boards, but is now open to visitors
once more as Island 2000 works to
restore it for people and wildlife.
The woodland is a haven for
wildlife and home to rare bats,
badgers, foxes, red squirrels, slow
worms and many butterflies, birds
and flowers. Over 616 species of
invertebrates have also been found
there.
Castle Copse is made up of a
variety of tree species, many are
still quite young and will be given
room to grow and mature, but in
amongst them are seven wonderful
old veteran oaks full of nooks and
crannies and draped in ivy. These
are important landmarks and
exceptional habitats.
But Castle Copse isn’t just for the
animals, birds and bugs; through
its Gift to Nature programme,
run by Natural Enterprise, Island
2000 is keen to encourage anyone
to visit and enjoy the woodland
too. With the help of the Homes
and Communities Agency, Barratt
Homes, and local organisations
plans are now in place and underway to
improve paths and access, install new
seats, plant new trees and provide on-site
information for visitors.
Castle Copse is under five minutes’ walk
from the centre of East Cowes. It can be
accessed from Sylvan Drive or Black Knight
Close. More details can be found on www.
gifttonature.org.uk .
Gift to Nature’s work is only possible
with the help of committed supporters. All
donations enable Island 2000 to continue
their conservation work on the Isle of
Wight. If you would like to support the
work of Gift to Nature please visit the
website or contact Sam Buck on 01983
201564.
60
www.visitislandlife.com