Conservation

The Countryside team manages nine local nature reserves. The majority of which hold international, national or regional designations on account of their wildlife interest. Their responsibilties include maintaining these sites in a favourable condition for a variety of species to flourish for future generations to enjoy.

The variety of habitats on our sites include heathland, marshland, grassland, reedbed, woodland, hay meadows and alder carr. Some of the species associated with these habitats are Nightjar, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Silver-studded Blue butterflies, Forester Moths and many more.

Heathlands
Heathland is a distinctive habitat and one that is extremely rare. Lowland Heathland is typically found below 300m on nutrient-poor free-draining soils and is dominated by low-growing shrubs, such as Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, rather than by trees, grasses or herbaceous plants. The UK has 20% of the worlds total lowland heathland and it supports more important species and any other habitat type in this country.

Heathland Wildlife
Heathlands provide a variety of niches for wildlife, from bare sandy ground interspersed with a thick cover of low-growing vegetation and sometimes wet and boggy hollows. Some 5,000 species of invertebrates occur on heathlands. These include grasshoppers, bush crickets, beetles, dragonflies, moths, ants, wasps, bees and spiders, some of these species are extremely rare. All six of Britain's native species of reptiles are found on our lowland heaths. Rare birds such as Nightjars and Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers are largely confined to this habitat in southern England.

Heathland Management
Heathland is a largely open habitat and if left unmanaged is quickly colonised by trees such as Silver Birch. Traditional land-use practices have long since ceased on heathlands and so it is necessary to undertake certain management regimes to protect and enhance this extremely important habitat.
Mechanical scrapes are one of the most effective ways of removing the top layer of soil and organic matter, exposing the valuable heather seeds to enable them to re-colonise areas previously encroached by scrub and secondary woodland. Until conditions are suitable for germination, Heather seeds can survive in the soil for more than 60 years.
Tree and scrub clearance is carried out to encourage the re-growth of existing heathland flora. By removing these more competitive plants and trees and by allowing more heat and light to reach the soil we are creating conditions that are suitable for heather and associated plants to thrive.
Grazing helps maintain a healthy heathland, as livestock continually suppress existing trees, scrub and other vigorous plants by eating them. In addition these animals  create areas of bare ground by poaching, in turn creating a valuable habitat for many invertebrates and reptiles, and creating conditions conducive to Heather regeneration. Grazing is by far the most sustainable long-term management regime for preserving and enhancing heathlands (please see PDF article by Natural England for more details).

Forest and Woodland Management
The Forestry Advisory Service provides advice and information on trees, woodland and tree-related issues to the Council, partner organisations and the public. We are statutory consultees to the Forestry Commission in respect of the Woodland Grant Scheme and hold a copy of the Public Register of applications. We encourage the creation of new woodlands and are committed to improving the management of existing woods by working with partners throughout Hart District Council.

Grazing
The Council owns a number of sites within the district which it lets for grazing. Grazing land is only offered on a 12 monthly licence agreement. For more information see the feasability study for grazing on Hazeley Heath in the downloads section.

Volunteers
A lot of important work done by the Countryside Service is carried out by volunteers. In 2007, the work from volunteers was worth £70,000 to the Service, meaning alot of our work is only made possible by the time and help that they offer. Volunteers can be local residents, corporate groups, probation service groups and college students on placements. They perform a wide variety of tasks from scrub clearance, litter picking and bridge building to checking the livestock that graze some of the sites in the summer months.

If you are interested in volunteering for work with the Countryside Service, please contact us at countryside@hart.gov.uk or check out the Rangers Blog

For informal chats about any of these activities please feel free to contact the Countryside Rangers on 01252 623443.