LocalWildlife

Sites

A shortguide to

A short guide to

LocalWildlifeSites

What are LocalWildlife Sites?

From mystical ancient woodlands to quiet churchyards andbustling flower-rich roadsides; and from field-borderinghedgerows to tiny copses the UK enjoys special, often

unnoticed wild places where nature thrives.

Whether they are in the depths of the countryside or nestled inbusy towns and cities, these Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are

exceptional areas of land.

They are identified and selected locally, by partnerships oflocal authorities, nature conservation charities, statutory

agencies, ecologists and local nature experts, using robust,scientifically-determined criteria and detailed ecologicalsurveys. Their selection is based on the most important,distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a

national, regional and local context. This makes them some ofour most valuable wildlife areas.

Embleton and BeadnellCoast LWS, NorthumberlandN

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Claxby Roadside, Lincolnshire Allt Ddu, Powys

Thwaite Common, Norfolk

Pwllcoediog, Powys Helmeth Wood, Shropshire

Staffordshire Moss Farm

Maes-y-Geidfa, Powys

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Peopleneed nature

For many years the socialvalue of Local Wildlife Siteshas gone unrecognised. Butresearch shows nearby wild

green space greatlyimproves mental and

physical health

They arebrilliant for

wildlifeLocal Wildlife Sites are vitalhavens, where much of our

amazing wildlife lives, includingrare species. Even small sites

act as ‘stepping stones’across the wider

landscape

They arenature

highwaysFeatures such as rivers,verges, hedgerows and

embankments act ascorridors along which

wild plants andanimals can

move

They canbe buffers

Local Wildlife Sites nextto or near to protected

areas can protectwildlife from

surrounding landuses

Why LocalWildlife Sitesmatter

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They willrebuild nature

Local Wildlife Sites are vitalbuilding blocks in landscapescale conservation projects

designed to restore, connectand recreate habitats for

wildlife and people

They aresanctuaries

Churchyards, workplacesand other spaces can be

managed for wildlife, withmany social benefitsincluding access to

nature

They bringwildlife to us

Nearby Local WildlifeSites support the

wildlife we see in ourgardens and parks

A short guide to

LocalWildlifeSites

Local Wildlife Sites are…...the places where ourwildlife livesAs changes in land usehave eroded the naturalhabitats that once covered

the UK, Local Wildlife Sites are now‘islands’ in a ‘sea’ of intensively-managed urban, coastal and rurallandscapes. Alongside our statutoryprotected sites, they support a wealth ofwildlife, both common and rare.

...the building blocks forthe restoration of nature To reverse the centurieslong trend of wildlife lossand provide for nature’s

recovery, we have to expand, restore andrecreate habitats on a landscape scale,way beyond the boundaries oftraditional nature reserves and wildlifesites. This is The Wildlife Trusts’ visionfor a Living Landscape.

As the natural green fabric of our townsand countryside, Local Wildlife Siteshave a huge part to play. They make upa web of stepping stones and corridorsfor wildlife, forming key components ofecological networks.

...as important to peopleas they are to wildlifeThey contribute greatly toour quality of life, health,well-being and education,

and add economic value to localcommunities.

...often privately ownedwith limited access Despite this, the veryexistence of this naturalhabitat network

contributes to the wildlife we find in ourgardens, parks and other public naturalspaces.

What’s in a name?These sites are named differentlyacross the UK.

England - Local Wildlife SiteIsle of Man - Manx Wildlife SiteNorthern Ireland - Site of LocalNature Conservation ImportanceScotland - Local NatureConservation SiteWales - Site of Importance forNature Conservation

There can be local variations tooeg: County Wildlife Site, SINC, Siteof Nature Conservation Importance

A short guide to

LocalWildlifeSites

...free providers of vitalservicesConventional economicsignores the natural serviceswe rely on to maintain a

healthy and sustainable environment – forexample, clean air and water, carbonstorage, pollinators and food production,and flood resilience. Local Wildlife Siteshelp provide these benefits for free.

...unable to surviveindefinitelyBelow a critical size, awildlife-rich area lacks theresilience to withstand

dramatic events such as disease, flood ordrought, or the steady attrition of nearbyhostile land use. Little by little, speciesstart to disappear.

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Middleton Moor South, Derbyshire –a limestone pasture

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How do Local WildlifeSites compare with other

protected places?There is a general misconception that all the best natureconservation sites are nationally designated and legallyprotected. This is not the case. While Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSIs) are crucially important, theyrepresent only a small sample of our most importanthabitats and species. Many places are not designated asSSSIs, and have no legal protection despite being ofequal or greater value for wildlife. By contrast, for LocalWildlife Sites, all sites whichmeet the given criteria areselected, some of which are ofSSSI quality. Consequently, insome counties Local Wildlife Sitesare where most of our special wildlifecan be found.

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Land area

Compared to SSSIs

A short guide to

LocalWildlifeSites

LocalWildlife Site facts

“In our patch Local Wildlife Sites support the vast majority of ourwildlife. They lack the status of national sites, but may have just asmuch wildlife value. Without these sites and their sympatheticowners we would have virtually no wildlife.”

Matt Jackson, Head of Conservation at Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust

Torfaen Wales Wiltshire

The map showsapproximate percentageland area of Local WildlifeSites, by country

Scotlandnot known

England 5%

Wales 4%

Northern Ireland 2.9%

Isle of Man 1.7%

In some counties, LWS are the best sites for biodiversity:

62% of thecounty is covered byLWS. Sites of SpecialScientific Interestcover just 3.5%.

5,260Local Wildlife Sitesexist across Wales.There are just 1,072SSSIs.

75% ofbroadleaf woodland isin Local Wildlife Sites.Only 10% is in SSSIs.

Caerphilly

30X more ofCaerphilly’s area isLWS than SSSI.

Derbyshire

978 hectares of semi-natural grasslandoutside the Peak District NationalPark is within Local Wildlife Sites.Only 179 ha are within SSSIs.

Who treasures andprotects these places?

Because Local Wildlife Sites are often privatelyowned, they rely on the sheer commitmentof the landowners, farmers and volunteerswho are prepared to carry out sensitivehabitat management. Without suchcare and effort, a site will graduallydecline. There are also many localorganisations such as The WildlifeTrusts who work in partnership tohelp care for these special places and advise landowners on landmanagement and grants.

Did youknow?Although not protected by law,LWS are recognised across theUK in national planning policies,which set out requirements forprotection through localpolicy and plans

Volunteers restoringa pond on a LocalWildlife Site inPurbeck, DorsetR

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A short guide to

LocalWildlifeSites

What LWS means to me

“There are butterflies everywhere, andflowers. There must be something sweetabout the land here. People keep telling meto plough and reseed but I can’t – so much

of the earth is being ripped up.” Barbara Rogers, site manager and farmer, Shropshire

“When we found this place with itsuntouched fields, we were delighted to takeover management. I can’t believe I actuallylive here. It really connects you to the land,

to nature. It’s just so peaceful.”Jon and Marilyn Dunkelman, site owners, Monmouthshire

“The reason we work sohard to look after thesecommons is for thesheer joy of having

them here. We have manyvolunteers in the village whocome and help to managethe land for the wildlife andfor future generations tocome and enjoy.” Adrian Sampson, site volunteer, Suffolk

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Do you own or managea Local Wildlife Site?

Contact your local Wildlife Trust viawildlifetrusts.org. They can eitheroffer expert advice or point you in

the right direction for help withsurveys and management options.

Cover: Duston Mill Race LWS, Northamptonshire, Matt Johnson. Back cover: Grass Snake,Colin Varndell. For more information, contact The Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Mather Road,

Newark, Notts, NG24 1WT. 01636 677711. Reg. Charity No. 207238. Feb 2019.