New 25-year vision for South Norfolk Claylands landscape
A consultation has been launched by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust
A new 25-year vision is being drawn up to improve the landscape across the South Norfolk Claylands.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust are wanting input from residents on ways to reverse what they say is an alarming loss of wildlife.
The Trust aim to create new spaces to support nature, and benefit the local community and economy.
Helen Hebditch, the Director of Nature Recovery said "Once, the South Norfolk Claylands' unique landscape was a thriving, healthy ecosystem. But, over time, due to changes in land management, increased development and the impacts of climate change, sadly a great many vital habitats have disappeared.
"This means our wildlife is in trouble, and it’s impacting our communities too.
"Protecting and restoring nature across our landscape takes everyone.
"We have exciting plans to create a shared vision to restore the important habitats found across this unique landscape. As well as giving our wildlife much-needed help, creating new wild spaces will also benefit people in the area and boost the local economy."
Ben Newton is also from the Trust and says that one way of improving the landscape is through creating wildlife corridors, "A wildlife corridor is a route that wildlife can move through in the same way we'd use a motorway
"This could include road verges, well managed hedge rows or field margins."
He explained what makes the South Norfolk landscape so unique, "The habitat and the landscape in South Norfolk is quite different from the rest of Norfolk and that's because of the soil. It's a clay plateau which means it's got a different character.
"We ask an awful lot of the landscape, it really can meet all of our needs but we need to think about it properly and get people engaged."
Norfolk Wildlife Trust are asking anyone with ideas to take part in their online survey or attend a free residents' drop in event.