You know about nature. You’ve heard of nature reserves. So prepare yourself for… a super nature reserve.
That’s what a stretch of the Mendip Hills in Somerset is about to become. It’s been announced that 31 existing nature reserves between Wells and Weston-super-Mare will be merged to help preserve wildlife and boost the biodiversity in the area, thereby creating a ‘super’ National Nature Reserve.
The Mendip Hills, which stretches for 19 miles, is already a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. But who says it should stop there? The newly declared ‘super’ status will help over 1,400 hectares of limestone cliffs, wildflower grasslands, ancient woodlands and magnificent gorges thrive.
It will also help protect species including skylarks, black oil beetles, hazel dormice, robins and the Cheddar pink flower. It is the second addition to King Charles’s Series of National Nature Reserves, after the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve. The plan is for five major National Nature Reserve declarations to be made every year for the next five years.
Management of the new reserve will be shared between Natural England, Mendip Hills AONB, the National Trust, Longleat/Cheddar Gorge Caves, Somerset and Avon Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation, the Woodland Trust and the South West Heritage Trust, with a shared objective for nature recovery.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: ‘This will enhance the biodiversity of the Mendip Hills. This will make it a better place for wildlife to thrive.
‘This treasure trove of ancient woodlands, rich wildflower grasslands and stunning geology is of great national importance and sustains a huge variety of wildlife. There are birds, small mammals, rare butterflies and plants that are found only here and we want to preserve that.’
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