Caring for the Nature Area

The pond at Charlton Down Nature Area looking beautiful in the early morning light of a May morning.

Over the last couple of years, great strides have been made towards creating a more biodiverse and wilder Nature Area for the village. Charminster Parish Council and a group of dedicated volunteers have donated funds and a lot of hard work to make our Nature Area a better place for every kind of wild creature, plant, fungus, moss and lichen – a place where these things are safe and protected so that they can flourish while elsewhere they are vanishing at an alarming rate. The efforts to improve the site are recognised as part of the Dorset Nature Recovery Network. The work has received a Wildlife Friendly Space Award from Dorset Wildlife Trust.

The improvements coincide with Dorset County Council’s declaration of a Nature Emergency. Our work to create a protected wilder space in the Charlton Down Nature Area also makes it a more attractive place for people to peacefully enjoy and understand Nature. The new Pond is the centrepiece and most important feature of the site, along with the new Bog Habitat which is being developed in the overflow area next to it.

We are pleased to say that most visitors appreciate what is taking place and treat the Nature Area with respect. They keep to the paths; and do not touch, disturb, or remove anything at all. They keep out of the pond water and the planted areas, allowing these habitats to settle and develop without any human interference so that wildlife can benefit. They do not light fires or leave rubbish behind, they leave things as they find them, and they do not bring dogs into the area. We would like to thank them for treating the place with care.

It is disappointing that a very small number of visitors do not behave responsibly like this and cause problems when they visit. Some people cause damage that threatens the integrity of the pond and destroys wildlife microhabitats and structures. Some dog owners still bring their pets into the Nature Area, often without a lead, and even allow them to enter the pond. Dogs are not allowed because they disturb and distress wildlife. Even the scent of a dog can deter animals. Dog poo and pee can add extra nutrients to the soil threatening wildflowers that are adapted to low nutrient soils, and the urine can kill off patches of vegetation. Chemicals in flea treatments and other pet care products are a source of major pollution and harm to wildlife particularly in ponds. We would plead with dog owners to heed the signs clearly displayed on the gates and to exercise their dogs elsewhere.

Looking over a sea of white cow parsley flowers at Charlton Down Nature Area early one May morning.