Devon’s heathland reptiles get healthy boost
Added: 13th December 2011
A local wildlife charity has this month received funding to support a new project which is set to boost populations of reptiles and amphibians at four sites across the county.
The project is being undertaken by Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) thanks to a grant of almost £50,000 from Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services through the Landfill Communities Fund. DWT was able to secure this grant thanks to generous donations from The Marjorie and Geoffrey Jones Charitable Trust and Sibelco UK.
The project will run over three years, starting this month, and will take place at the following DWT nature reserves: Bovey Heathfield and Chudleigh Knighton Heath in the Bovey Basin, along with Lickham Common and Ashculm Turbary in the Blackdown Hills.
The programme of work will help reptiles and amphibians by restoring lowland heathland habitat and enhancing existing areas. Along with this work, ponds, egg laying heaps and hibernacula for hibernation will be created for a variety of species including adders, great crested newts and grass snakes.
Andy Bakere, DWT’s Nature Reserves Coordinator in the south of the County said: “Reptiles and amphibians are particularly vulnerable and in decline which is largely due to the loss of lowland heathland. This is the only habitat which supports all six native species of reptiles, so by targeting work in these areas there is a good chance of boosting populations of these interesting creatures. This project would not have been able to progress without the generous funding from DWT Corporate Supporters, Sibelco UK, who stepped in at the last minute to help release the grant.”
Gillian French, Programme Manager Biffaward said “Our natural environment must be protected, which is why Biffaward is delighted to support organisations like Devon Wildlife Trust who work tirelessly to conserve our landscape. The work carried out across all these sites will bring huge benefits to the habitats and wildlife that lives within them.”
Anyone wishing to support this important project by volunteering should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call 01392 279244.