New nature reserves
IN August, a large part of Studland National Nature Reserve in Dorset was burned, following a barbecue fire. Local TV reported it as ‘a popular nature reserve’, which set me thinking: what does that mean, exactly? It seemed like a glorified picnic site. Its website says ‘as an internationally important example of lowland heath, the area is managed by the National Trust as a designated National Nature Reserve.’
I used to think of nature reserves as places where nature came first, where wildlife could thrive and survive. Studland has a fine set of southern heathland reptiles, butterflies, flowers and birds. But it is sometimes almost overwhelmed by people. I have always been very aware of this dilemma, with my own selfish arrogance coming to the fore: ‘I can go (because I appreciate it) but you can’t (you just want to walk your dogs)’.
It is difficult, individually and for conservation organisations, to balance the desire to give people access to the countryside, yet to preserve the best of it. I used to drive around north-west Scotland and loved the peace and quiet, the freedom, the wonderful views, the away-from-it-all atmosphere. Now it is ‘The Northern 500’, a marketing ploy to clog the roads with as much traffic as possible. They need the money up there. And why think ‘I can go’ if I feel aggrieved that so many others do so? I suggest, this month, you find a good nature reserve: Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, WWT, whatever – and visit it, with the idea in mind that you really appreciate it for the wildlife and for the people who created it. Be welcoming to everyone else, but just realise what it should be all about.
Rob Hume