Management projects
Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage
A project led by English Nature and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and a consortium of other partners, is making great strides towards the national Lowland Heathland Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets of restoring 58,000 hectares and re-creating a further 6,000 hectares lowland commons across the UK. Further information can be found at Heathland Heritage website.
The Grazing Animals Project (GAP)
Project started in 1997. It exists to help land managers get the desired level of grazing on sites for wildlife conservation or other management purposes. They provide practical support to graziers, wildlife site managers and conservation advisors across the UK. Further information can be found at Grazing Animals Project website.
Management of Dartmoor Commons
Dartmoor is unique in being the only large area of upland common in England to be managed through its own Act of Parliament. The Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 provides for the setting up of a Commoners' Council. This is a statutory body that has responsibility for the good husbandry of the commons. Membership to the Council is made up of representatives from the local Commoners' Associations, the Duchy of Cornwall, the National Park Authority, a vet, and common land owners. Further information is available on the National Park authority's Dartmoor factsheet about Commons.
Greenham and Crookham Commons
Greenham and Crookham commons in Berkshire are managed through their own Act of Parliament, obtained in 2002. A large part of Greenham common until recently was taken by the Ministry of Defence for an airfield. The Act allowed the local council to purchase a large part of the airfield which is being restored to grazing.
Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons
The Conservators of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are appointed under the County of Kent Act 1981. They are one of several bodies of conservators established under their own local legislation, and are responsible for managing urban common land in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.
Conserving Herefordshire's Common Land
Community Commons is a brand new five year project run by the Wildlife Trust. Their aims are to work with local landowners, commoners and stakeholders to increase their awareness of wildlife on commons and their involvement in its conservation. Further information can be found on the Wildlife Trust website.
Pembrokeshire's Living Heathland
Until the middle of the 20th century, heathlands were an essential part of the agricultural system in Britain. But changes in land use brought about severe losses. Pembrokeshire's Living Heathlands is a seven-year project (1999 - 2006) that aims to increase the quantity and quality of lowland and coastal heath in Pembrokeshire, and to improve opportunities for their enjoyment and understanding. Further information can be found at Pembrokeshire's Living Heathland
Page last modified:
13 December 2006
Page published: 5 February 2003