Wildlife conservation work to get £1m boost
Beavers, endangered butterflies and birds will be among the species to benefit from £1.28 million in government aid.
The money was given to the Urban Wildlife Trust through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme, supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
It will be spent on projects on the River Stour. Kent is home to Britain’s largest population of wild beaversand the ancient woodland at Blean, near Canterbury.
The foundation said the award demonstrates the county’s importance in protecting endangered wildlife.
Conservation and engagement manager Paul Hadaway said: “This gives us the opportunity to strengthen our nationally important beaver population, deepen our understanding of some of Britain’s least known woodland invertebrates and create conditions for them to recover and thrive.
“The knowledge we gain here in Kent will not only benefit local wildlife, but will also help shape species recovery across the UK.”
One of the UK’s rarest butterflies, the Heath Fritilliary, is found in ancient woodland near Canterbury. [Kent Wildlife Trust]
The biodiversity of the beaver population will be strengthened by the release of more animals, while the trust will work with landowners to restore the creatures’ habitat.
A study at Blean will focus on six endangered species found there, including the heath fritillary butterfly, one of the UK’s rarest species, and the turtle dove.
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “With the largest ever investment in species recovery, we are supporting projects across the country to protect threatened wildlife, restore habitats and secure the future of some of the UK’s most iconic species.”
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