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The launch of the Ravine WoodLIFE project Ravine WoodLIFE

Partners:

  • Wye Valley AONB
  • Countryside Council for Wales
  • Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
  • English Nature
  • Forestry Commission
  • The National Trust
  • Woodland Trust
  • WWF-UK

In the Wye Valley, 2,184 acres of internationally important native woodland are being restored as part of the Ravine WoodLIFE Project which ended in June 2007.

The AONB is one of two areas to benefit from investment of £1.3 million in a three-year partnership programme to conserve some of the UK 's most important native woodland habitats. Another 5,162 acres of woodland in the Peak District are included in the scheme.

Spring Bluebells in Bigsweir Woods

The Lower Wye Valley 's high quality native woodlands, including ash woods, have been identified as some of the best examples of ravine woodlands remaining throughout Europe. Designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Community Habitats Directive, they also form part of a Europe wide network of high quality conservation sites called Natura 2000. To assist organisations to pay for urgent or innovative conservation work on Natura 2000 sites, the European Union has set aside money under a fund called LIFE-Nature. This fund is providing financial support to this project.

Cutting timber, Highbury Woods

 

In the Wye Valley, the partner organisations are working to address the environmental, social and economic threats to the woodlands on both side of the English-Welsh border. They want to ensure the long-term ecological viability of the woodlands, so work includes archaeological and ecological surveys, coppicing and thinning, surgery to veteran trees, the removal of non-native species, deer management and the construction of deer fencing.

Ravine WoodLIFE Project Manager, Matt Brocklehurst, is also working with local communities and businesses to raise awareness of the importance of these spectacular woodlands and the opportunities that may arise from their conservation management.

Ravine woodlands occur on nutrient-rich soils found at the foot of slopes and valleys in areas of limestone geology. Semi-natural woodland is abundant and virtually continuous along 18 miles of the Wye gorge within the Wye Valley AONB. Ash dominated ravine woodland occurs within an intimate mix of other native woodland types, including beech, yew and oak dominated woodlands. Nationally important populations of species such as greater and lesser horseshoe bats, dormouse, white admiral butterfly, Tintern spurge and narrow leaved bittercress all occur within the Wye gorge.

However, the survival of these woods are threatened by overgrazing, invasion by non-native species, the decline of traditional woodland management and the woodlands becoming fragmented and isolated from one another. By addressing these threats, the project aims to ensure the long-term survival of the woodlands and also to assist the conservation management of woodlands throughout Europe. Experience gained through the project will be shared with managers of similar woodland habitats elsewhere in the UK and Europe.

For further information about any of the work being carried out by Ravine WoodLIFE, including deer fencing, coppicing and the ongoing doormouse survey, contact:

Matt Brocklehurst (Project Manager) on 01629 816666 / 07733 300176

Ravine WoodLIFE Project, Endcliffe, Deepdale Business Park, Ashford Road , Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1GT

Website: Ravine WoodLIFE

Email: Matt Brocklehurst

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