People are being invited to get involved in an ambitious new project to create Dorset’s first urban Living Landscape. Dorset Wildlife Trust and its partners are holding a series of public events where people can have their say and be a part of the new Urban Wildlink project to protect wild landscapes and link people and wildlife across the whole east Dorset conurbation.
Dorset Wildlife Trust and its partners have joined forces to launch Urban Wildlink, a major Living Landscape project around the urban areas of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset, involving conservation organisations, local authorities, private landowners and the local community. The kick-start to Urban Wildlink will be the purchase of 581 hectares (1435 acres) of land being sold by the Canford Estate, including internationally important heathland, saltmarsh and reedbeds, ancient woodland and important grassland. The Urban Wildlink Project aims to build on this to re-connect people and wildlife across the whole area between the New Forest and the Purbecks, providing opportunities forvolunteering, encountering nature, making changes for wildlife in gardens, churchyards and other public spaces or even becoming wildlife champions in their own community.
Brian Bleese, Director of Operations and Development at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Living Landscapes are places where wildlife prospers and contributes to the quality of the natural environment, the economy and our quality of life. Urban Wildlink is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a Living Landscape spanning the urban areas of Dorset. We need the support of the people and communities of Dorset to make this exciting project happen.”
Urban Wildlink is a partnership project involving Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Erica Trust, Poole Harbour Commissioners, Borough of Poole, Dorset County Council Countryside Service and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. UrbanWildlink has received Stage 1 approval and a development grant of £85,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and will be applying for £2.4 million later this year. A public appeal has been launched to raise the remaining £300,000.
The Urban Wildlink public consultation events are as follows. Whilst each consultation will focus on the sites nearest the venue, information will be available regarding sites and opportunities across the whole Wildlink project.
Saturday 15th June 10.00am – 12.30pm – Barrington Centre, Ferndown (focusing on Ferndown Common)
Saturday 22nd June 10.00am – 12.30pm – Corfe Mullen Village Hall (focusing on Happy Bottom and Upton Heath)
Saturday 22nd June 2.00pm – 4.30pm – Broadstone Methodist Church Centre (focusing on Dunyeats Hill, Arrowsmith Copse, Delph Woods)
Saturday 29th June 10.00am -12.30pm – Heatherlands Centre, Tricketts Cross (focusing on Parley Common)
Saturday 6th July 10.00am – 12.30pm – The Community Centre, Upton, Poole (focusing on Lytchett Bay, Holes Bay and Upton Heath)
For more information or to register your support, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/urban_wildlink.html
