The reptiles, waterbiters, and voles helped in the newest National Park
A DECADE ago, it became England’s newest National Park to protect the stunning landscapes of the South Downs.
And to mark this special birthday, the South Downs National Park’s guardians have renewed their commitment to protecting biodiversity as the challenges caused by climate change intensify.
Officials at the park, which covers nearly 620 square miles of land in Hampshire and Sussex, work to protect its wildlife and heritage.
The park’s director of countryside and policy management, Andrew Lee, said: “The National Park has some of the rarest animals and plants in Britain and, without our collective efforts to give nature the space and protection to flourish, these natural works of art could be lost forever.
“We’re working really hard to turn the tide on biodiversity loss on a big and small scale, through larger landscape projects and via smaller initiatives for individual species such as the field cricket.”
During its first 10 years, achievements by the park authority, which was established on March 31, 2010, have included restoring 12 species of British amphibian and reptile species, while heathland the size of 1,200 football pitches is being improved. Work has been carried out to restore ecosystems, including 35 sites along the River Meon, in Hampshire, for water voles along with 67 per cent of woodland in the park now under active management.
Chalk grassland is also being protected which has allowed the Duke of Burgundy butterfly to recover from the brink of extinction and the waterbiter bush cricket has been successfully reintroduced.
The National Park has some of the rarest animals and plants.
Andrew Lee, from South Downs National Park.