Restoring the lost landscape of Leavenheath

The project will help to purchase a compact tractor to support the creation of 153 acres of open habitats on new land at Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale nature reserve.

In 2012 and 2013 we extended the reserve with the purchase of the two arable fields which connect the reserve to the village of Assington and in 2014 we transformed the reserve again with the purchase of grassland, fen and marginal arable land to the north. In all these three additions of open habitat have added 153 acres (62ha), more than doubling the size of the reserve.

The project will buy the compact tractor, plus topper and roller attachment needed to undertake the long term restorative management of these open habitats. Over time the open land will develop into mixed-up mosaics of habitat which are rich in insects, birds and reptiles, with rough grassland and bramble blending into scrub and woodland.