Dunsdon NNR Habitat Restoration

This project will restore Culm grassland habitat at Dunsdon National Nature Reserve. This will be achieved as follows.

– Access will be created to enable the management (using machinery and livestock) of parts of the nature reserve where this is currently impossible. Funds will be used to install and improve tracks, gateways and a culvert (to permit crossing of a wide stream).

– With access in place, two areas of low-quality grassland habitat will be restored and enhanced through soil scraping, re-seeding and temporary covering with fleece (a new restoration technique, successfully trialled elsewhere on this site).

– Habitat quality in other parts of the nature reserve is at risk of deterioration due to stock fencing falling into disrepair. This is a serious problem as maintaining the site’s wildlife value depends heavily on cattle grazing every summer. New fencing will be installed along vulnerable sections of the nature reserve boundary.