A dip into the future of conservation?

'SUPER NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE' CREATED FOR BIODIVERISTY IN THE MENDIPS

A vast new 'super national nature reserve' has been created today, 19th October 2023, by Natural England and partners, spanning the Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to help preserve and increase wildlife.

The 1,413 ha site is the second in a series of National Nature Reserve plans being announced to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III - the first being the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve in May 2023, and there are plans to see five major sites named every year for the next five years.

The Mendips are home to a variety of wildlife such as the nationally endangered lesser and greater horseshoe bats, adder, skylark, water vole, hazel dormouse, small pearl-bordered fritillary, black oil beetle, including endemic plants such as Cheddar pink and the nationally rare little robin and purple gromwell.

The Mendip Hills 'Super National Nature Reserve' brings together 31 existing nature sites to create a wildlife corridor, with the addition of more than 400 hectares of additional land, between the cathedral city of Wells and Weston-super-Mare. Managed by nine organisations working together: Natural England, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Avon Wildlife Trust, Mendip Hills AONB, the National Trust, Longleat and Cheddar Gorge Caves, Butterfly Conservation, the Woodland Trust and the South West Heritage Trust, their aim is boost biodiversity and "to conserve and help restore over 1,400 hectares of steep limestone slopes, traditional wildflower grasslands, ancient wooded combes, spectacular gorges and rocky outcrops ..." as well as allowing greater access for local people and enabling land managers to work together.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: "Today's declaration of the new Mendip National Nature Reserve is a huge step for Nature recovery, not just in Somerset but the country as a whole. This treasure trove of ancient woodlands, rich wildflower grasslands and stunning geology has national importance due to its habitats and sustains a huge variety of wildlife from birds to small mammals and from rare butterflies to plants found only here. Creating this new National Nature Reserve will be a step along the road of enhancing the biodiversity of the Mendip Hills making it a bigger, better and more joined up place for wildlife to thrive. It also means this area is recognised for its importance to nature and people, where the local community has so many opportunities to connect with nature, history and the local heritage."