Part of a Bigger Picture

The Charlton Down Nature Area in Dorset is part of something far bigger. It is one of thousands of similar initiatives to actively create, improve, and protect biodiversity for wildlife in Dorset and in fact the whole of the UK. We have put up a small plaque today on the gatepost at the entrance to the Nature Area to show that we are proud members of the Nature Recovery Dorset Network.

Our small wildlife haven belongs to Charminster Parish Council in Dorset and has been undergoing a something of a makeover during the last year or so. A small group of volunteers, with hands-on and financial support from the Parish Council, have been working hard to improve existing habitats and create new ones. For example, by introducing new types of native perennial wildflower seeds and plants, we have increased the number of species by 22% – from the baseline number of 70 to the current total of 90 species recorded so far. This number does not include the many species of flowering grasses, trees and shrubs.

In addition to the installation of the wildlife pond featuring several water depths and micro-habitats in February last year, we have created many new habitat types, including a bog area, reptile and amphibian refuges, several wood piles catering for invertebrates, birds, and small mammals, not to mention the restoration and reinstallation of over a dozen bird nesting boxes and much more. A new management plan is being developed that will involve less frequent mechanical interventions (with the introduction of hand-scything) so that more of the area is available for wildlife to survive and thrive.

Registering with the Nature Recovery Dorset Network means that we will now appear on a map of similar wild spaces where people are trying to enhance biodiversity and help Nature recover. We can share experiences and information with the other groups. We can learn from each other about how to manage our nature areas and increase their use for wildlife; how to safely improve their amenity value; and use them to demonstrate how important it is to respect, protect, appreciate, and value our natural environment.