Britain hosts 20% of the world’s lowland heathland, and Surrey is home to over a dozen of these essential reserves. We're working to connect and protect these vital habitats, bolstering their resilience against wildfires and safeguarding rare and endangered species.
Whitmoor Common is a fine example of lowland heathland, and SWT’s Director of Reserves Management James Herd joined us there to explain why we must reverse heathland’s long-standing decline:
“This habitat is unbelievably rare, and it supports incredible wildlife. Hearing a Nightjar churring on the heath on a summer’s evening is a magical, mystical, crazy experience.”
In Surrey we have three rare species of ground-nesting birds (Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler) and all six British reptiles, including the rare Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake. There are countless invertebrates including the Heath Tiger Beetle and Window-winged Caddisfly. Important plants that thrive on the acidic and nutrient-poor soil include Marsh Clubmoss and even Marsh Gentian on some sites.
“There are many reasons for the decline in heathland,” explained James. “For decades there has been pressure from urban sprawl, and of course expanding road networks cause fragmentation, for example where the M3 splits Chobham Common and Junction 10 of the M25 divides Wisley and Ockham Commons.”
These days planners take conservation more seriously, but we also have to contend with the climate crisis and more people using the countryside for recreation.
“We want to explore more ambitious and sustainable solutions, for example reintroducing Beavers to hold back water, which increases wildfire resilience and ultimately leads to the formation of carbon-sequestering peat.”
There’s a lot we can do to make a difference, but it’s labour-intensive work and the more support we get, the more significant the impact will be. This is a turning point so let’s all be part of the moment when the dial shifts.”
There's still time to turn the dial on nature's recovery. With a donation to our One Hundred for Heathlands appeal, you can help give wildlife a fighting chance. We need to raise £100,000 for Surrey's heathlands by Christmas - will you help? If you can, please donate today...before it's too late.
