Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve is one of the most wildlife rich places in the UK.

The aim of the project is to enhance natural processes across the reserve, making it more resilient to climate change and other pressures. It wants to create a better experience for people enjoying the heathland, while protecting sensitive areas. Nature based enterprises have become established, to include high quality meat production, camping, ecotourism and educational activities.

STRONG PARTNERSHIP

The Wild Purbeck partnership is led by Dorset AONB. The land managers collaborating to establish and manage the Purbeck Heaths NNR are:

• Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
• Dorset Wildlife Trust
• Forestry Commission
• National Trust
• Natural England
• Rempstone Estate Trust
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

KICK-STARTING REWILDING

A rewilding strategy was agreed between stakeholders to allow extensive grazing across landholdings using horses, North Devon and Longhorn cattle and Mangalica pigs grazing. This was achieved through the removal of fencing and a formal agreement.

Conifer plantations have been restored back to heathland, and osprey have been reintroduced as well as the ladybird spider. River restoration and managed realignment is planned to restore natural wetland processes to parts of the landscape.