Natural England

Volunteers are currently restoring a large area of heath land near Plympton to benefit wildlife and improve access for walkers and horse riders.

Dense, impenetrable gorse bushes have invaded parts of Crownhill Down and so Natural England, who run the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme, has joined forces with the Dartmoor-based volunteer group, Tavistock Taskforce, to tackle the problem. Bushes are being removed to create open corridors within the gorse areas, enabling grazing animals to move more freely around the site.

Martin Longley, an adviser with Natural England, commented: “The site contains rare heath land plants such as heather and bilberry which should now be able to flourish in the newly opened areas. However, we are retaining some scrub to provide shelter for stock and breeding birds such as Willow Warbler and Linnet. In addition, once the work is complete it will provide a much better public recreation area.”

Peter O’Dell, leader of the Tavistock Taskforce group, added: “We have a team of volunteers of all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities, working on Crownhill Down. Despite the prickly and strenuous nature of the work, it is really satisfying for the volunteers to be part of a project which is benefiting rare wildlife and also helping to increase people’s enjoyment of their local countryside.”

Crownhill Down can be found either side of the B3417 running between Plympton and Lee Moor.

-Ends-

Notes for editors

1. Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

2. The charity Tavistock Taskforce started just over two years ago and undertake conservation work for Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England, West Devon Borough Council, South West Lakes Trust, Cornwall County Council, local schools and individuals. They undertake anything from clearing scrub and gorse to dry stone walling and pond construction.

3. Crownhill Down is predominately classified as lowland heath, a rare UK Biodiversity Action Plan habitat.

4. Photographs of the site and volunteers at work can be obtained from Martin Longley, Natural England, tel. 0300-060-0278 or 07798 877441