backConservation Partnerships

Woolhope Dome Project

Partners

• Wye Valley AONB
• English Nature
• Forestry Commission
• Herefordshire Nature Trust
• Local people
• With funding from Herefordshire Rivers Leader+

The Woolhope Dome Project in Herefordshire w as set up to conserve the unique landscape of woods, hedges, unspoilt streams, traditional orchards and grasslands and the area's wealth of important wildlife and wild flowers.

The project offers information, advice and practical help to landowners and land managers. It operates a grazing scheme and encourages the use of rare breeds which do well on unimproved pasture and will eat the coarser vegetation to control scrub and weeds. Project funds have been used to provide fencing and water supplies in the priority areas, to establish a machinery ring and to develop a marketing strategy for the orchard, woodland and grassland produce.

To stimulate the local land based economy, a products and services directory has been produced, linking landowners and managers with service providers and land-based industries, such as wildlife services, woodland and conservation consultants, coppice workers and tree surgeons.

The project has also helped launch the hugely successful Woolhope Dome Local Food and Craft Markets, show-casing everything from locally produced cider from sustainable orchards to local meat and woodland products.

For more information on this project visit the Herefordshire Nature Trust website or contact Sharon Chilcott on 01432 356872 or Cathy Meredith on 01432 870033