Biodiversity Minister Barry Gardiner took to the skies in a hot air balloon today to get the best view of 340 hectares of restored heathland in the New Forest - the largest and most important area of heathland in North West Europe. The work was part of an ambitious Forestry Commission project to recreate more than 2000 hectares of the valued habitat across England.
The eight year project has also seen 37 hectares of heathland recreation at Strensall and Allerthorpe Commons in the Vale of York, as well as other sites throughout England.
Barry Gardiner said:
"Heathland is a priority habitat for the Government, and this work is a massive contribution for us to meet our targets and claw back some of the heathland we have lost over the last 200 years.
"It is vitally important that we restore and preserve important habitats such as this, both for the variety of wildlife it supports, and also as one of our historic landscapes."
Since the 18th Century, more than 80% of the UK's Heathland has been lost through development, agricultural improvement and forestry. It is estimated that there are currently 55,000 hectares of heathland in England, of which 16,500 are managed by the Forestry Commission on the public forest estate.
Yorkshire forest chief, Alan Eves, said:
"The work we have undertaken transforms these sites into very special places, as well as fantastically rich habitats for wildlife. At Allerthorpe Common for example, we have been working hard with partners to remove some of the pine plantations and reconnect two important heathland Sites of Special Scientific Interest. And we have plans in place for more work across the Vale of York".
In 1994, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan identified lowland heath as a priority habitat, and the Government set targets to recreate 6000 hectares. The Forestry Commission's completion of the 8 year project has helped deliver over a third of that target already.
In Yorkshire the principle area of heathland is centred around the city of York on Strensall, Allerthorpe and Skipwith Commons. The Commission is involved in a partnership project funded by English Nature and the Heritage Lottery Fund, "Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage", alongside Defence Estates, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Escrick Park Estate.
At Allerthorpe Common, the heathland has been quintupled to a 34 hectare site, and further thinning work is planned to maintain the habitat. Ling heather is regenerating across the site. At Strensall Common, 17 hectares of conifer crop have been removed at World's End, and sheep introduced to graze and create a natural restoration of the heathland area. Both sites have seen the return of the nightjar.
To the North of York, in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a local partnership of government agencies, local authorities and parishes have come together in the CANDO project (Cultural and Natural Development Opportunities). Under these auspices work is planned to restore vanished lowland heathland at Yearsley and Grimston Moor, and in the North York Moors National Park at Wass and Sproxton Moors.
Alan added:
"This project really has been a massive investment of resource and expertise for us, and it is brilliant to see the results we have achieved. In many ways it is ironic how much work, analysis and expertise goes into restoring sites, often to their natural state.
"Heathland sites are incredibly complex and varied, with very different make up of soil types, humidity and wetness; different grass, gorse and plant life; and a tremendous variety of existing and potential wildlife. The work has involved removal of trees and some prolific and pernicious plants which had taken hold in some areas. In all cases we have sought to be true to the history of the sites, and recreate a natural habitat which can flourish and develop."
Rod Leslie, who pulled together the national heathland recreation project for the Forestry Commission, said:
"We have learnt an incredible amount throughout the project about how we can manage these sites in the future to retain their natural heathland feel. It is a good milestone to have completed 2000 hectares, but we have another 2000 hectares already planned and are actively looking at further opportunities to expand this work.
"Historically, in the twentieth century, forestry was driven by the need to provide a timber resource for the country. At that time foresters were under immense pressure to fuel a country at war. There has been a seismic shift in forestry over the last few decades, and as that need has subsided, so the importance of forestry in the creation of habitats has increased. Our work now is about ensuring the public forest estate drives forward the Government's sustainability commitments, and provides valuable green spaces for both people and wildlife to thrive."
Notes to Editors:
1. The Forestry Commission set a target to recreate 2000 hectares of heathland under its 1997 - 2005 Heathland Habitat Action Plan. This was on line with the UK Biodiversity Action Plan commitment to recreate 6000 hectares across England.
2. Further details about the work in Yorkshire can be obtained from the Press Office, on 01223 346 027 / 07785 748 351.
3. There are many complex definitions of what constitutes lowland heathland, but for the purposes of Forestry Commission work and monitoring: broadly it can be defined as a range of heathland habitats encompassing dry and humid heath, wet heath and mire, seeps, bogs, small carrs, acid grassland, bracken brakes, gorse and thorn scrub, and small stands of oak, birch, pine and sallow. Further definition of heathland, and the spread of heathland across the public forestry estate in England is available in the Forestry Commission's Heathland Survey, which is obtainable from www.forestry.gov.uk/england-heathland
4. Barry Gardiner is the Defra Minister with responsibility for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs.
5. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. To find out more visit www.forestry.gov.uk
6. Image shows two very young nightjars on the woodland floor in North Yorkshire. Image available for media use from Forestry Commission Press Office.
Media calls to Forestry Commission Press Office:
Rebecca Britton on 01223 346 027 / 07785 748 351 or Charlton Clark on 0131 314 6500