One of the UK’s most rapidly declining butterflies is being offered a helping hand in Herefordshire, thanks to a new three-year conservation project led by the Forestry Commission and Butterfly Conservation.

A grant of more than £88,000 has been awarded to the Forestry Commission by the SITA Trust to help safeguard the future of the beautiful and rare Wood White butterfly in the county which is one of the few remaining strongholds for the species in Britain.

Local community and conservation groups can now get more involved in helping wildlife on their doorstep by applying to the SITA Trust for funds to support their projects.

The Wood White butterfly has become a rarer sight in England's countryside with numbers falling so low in the past decade that it is now considered endangered.

Coppicing and cutting back vegetation on forest rides gives the Wood White caterpillar’s main food plants, bird’s foot trefoil and meadow vetchling, a chance to flourish, so this project is fulfilling an important aim of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this ‘Priority’ Species.

Over the next three years, the Forestry Commission will team up with Butterfly Conservation to manage the ‘Wood White Project’ across eight Forestry Commission woods in Herefordshire , including Shobdon Hill, Sned, Mere Hill, Wigmore and Mortimer Forests, Haugh Woods, Queenswood, Dymock and Lords Wood at the Doward.

Brian Hicks Wildlife Ranger for the Forestry Commission in North Herefordshire, says:

“This is great news for the region’s Wood White butterfly and means we can take immediate action to help protect the species for future generations to enjoy.

“We have a great relationship with Butterfly Conservation, which is hugely beneficial to the ongoing conservation work carried out in Forestry Commission woodland.”

Ben Lennon, District Forester for Planning in the Forest of Dean, commented:

'This is a great opportunity for the Forestry Commission's West Midlands and Forest of Dean Districts to work together in partnership with other organisations, such as Butterfly Conservation.”

The Forestry Commission will carry out essential habitat restoration work to maintain the species’ stronghold in the region for future generations and monitor their numbers.

Once work starts on the Wood White Project, local people and visitors will be encouraged to come along and enjoy their walk more as they watch the butterflies and see the improvements in these woodlands. The project will also collect valuable information about the life of butterflies and how they can thrive within our local woodlands.

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic decline in woodland butterflies, with many species disappearing from areas where enthusiasts have formerly known them to be. The abundance of butterflies in England’s woodlands has dropped by 43% over the last 16 years, so with the help of the experts working alongside volunteers in projects such as this, their future is more certain.

Butterfly Conservation has been working with the Forestry Commission in the West Midlands and the Forest of Dean for over 20 years. Both partners have learnt form each others experience over the years through woodland surveys, monitoring and sharing specialist knowledge.

Dr Jenny Joy, Senior Regional Officer for Butterfly Conservation in the West Midlands, says:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to direct attention and resources to one of our nationally rapidly declining butterflies, which is still doing well in Herefordshire.

“The Wood White is a delicate woodland butterfly with a fascinating courtship ritual - a far cry from the usual image of 'white' butterflies which is frequently seen as a garden pest.”

The SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes. The ‘Wood White Project’ has received a grant from the Enriching Nature Fund, which provides money for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England.

For more information about the Forestry Commission in the West Midlands and the Forest of Dean, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westmidlands or www.forestry.gov.uk/forestofdean

For information on how to apply for funding from SITA Trust call (01454) 262910 or click on www.sitatrust.org.uk

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. IMAGES AVAILABLE: Images of Wood White butterflies are attached. Please credit Dave Grundy, David Green and Butterfly Conservation accordingly. Higher resolution versions are available by calling 015394-42436.

2. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. It supports woodland owners with grants; tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk.

3. Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity taking action to save butterflies and moths, and their habitats. Butterfly Conservation staff and volunteers manage habitats to ensure their survival, with particular attention being given to threatened species. Butterfly Conservation has 12,000 members and is the largest organisation of its kind in Europe: www.butterfly-conservation.org

4. SITA Trust provides funding from the Landfill Communities Trust. It was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes:

• Enhancing Communities – for community improvement projects around landfill sites owned by SITA UK
• Enriching Nature – for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England
• GreenPrints – launched in June 2007 to encourage 16-25 year olds to volunteer their time and energy to improving green spaces in their local communities
Each year, SITA Trust commits over £7 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund.
As of June 2007 SITA Trust became the first Environmental Body (EB) to be awarded EB Accreditation through the new ENTRUST process.

5. The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST.