New 'super' Mendip National Nature Reserve launches to enhance biodiversity
Nine organisations across the Mendips are coming together, as part of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves
Last updated 19th Oct 2023
Nine organisations across the Mendips are coming together to create what's been called a 'super' national nature reserve.
It's been launched in a bid to boost the recovery of nature here in the West Country - as part of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves.
Natural England has called the site, which covers more than 1400 hectares of land a 'treasure trove' as they work to enhance biodiversity and the pace of nature recovery across the region.
It comes as a result of a partnership between Natural England, Mendip Hills AONB, the National Trust, Longleat/Cheddar Gorge Caves, Somerset and Avon Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation, the Woodland Trust and the South West Heritage Trust, who are all working in partnership to manage the reserve with a shared objective for nature recovery.
Together, it's claimed the organisations have ambitious plans to recover nature in the Mendips.
This new 'super' reserve brings together the existing Ebbor Gorge and Rodney Stoke National Nature Reserves, along with 29 nature-rich sites, and the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty area, stretching from woodlands in England’s smallest city of Wells, across the southern Mendip slopes and plateau and reaching right out to Brean Down in the Severn estuary.
This project joins up 1,410ha of land managed for nature conservation, and links ecologically important sites along the popular walking route of the Mendip Way.
This means it will bring in more than 400 hectares of non-SSSI land that will be managed with nature conservation as the primary purpose.
It's the second in the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. The Series will see five major National Nature Reserve declarations each year for the next five years.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “Today’s declaration of the new Mendip National Nature Reserve is a huge step for nature recovery, not just in Somerset and the west of England, but the country as a whole. This treasure trove of ancient woodlands, rich wildflower grasslands and stunning geology has national importance due to its habitats and sustains a huge variety of wildlife from birds to small mammals and from rare butterflies to plants found only here.
“Working with partners to create this new National Nature Reserve will be a step along the road of enhancing the biodiversity of the Mendip Hills making it a bigger, better and more joined up place for wildlife to thrive. It also means this area is recognised for its importance to nature and people, where the local community has so many opportunities to connect with nature, history and the local heritage.”
Lord Bath of Longleat Estate said: “Cheddar Gorge is one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks, comprising a large and significant part of the Mendip Hills’ footprint and bio connectivity. As a private landowner of part of this special piece of Britain, we take our responsibility as custodians extremely seriously. Through the Cheddar Gorge and Caves enterprise, we work to attract many people to this area to enjoy and experience this outstanding part of the world. In addition, we work tirelessly to ensure this amazing mosaic of land is conserved for future generations of visitors to enjoy and populations of diverse wildlife to thrive.
“The formation of the new National Nature Reserve is a ground-breaking opportunity for conservation and land management. We look forward to making a real impact together with the other partners, not least for the species that are native to these habitats – from greater crested newts to dormice, and the extremely rare plants that flourish in abundance in our unique pocket of land.”
Nigel Garnsworthy, National Trust Somerset Countryside Manager, added: “The National Trust and its partners have been working for many years to maintain a healthy, resilient landscape buzzing with wildlife across the Mendip Hills and the NNR declaration is testament to that success. We are excited about the chance to work in closer collaboration to make a positive difference for nature and climate and ensure the special Mendip wildlife is benefitting from habitats that are bigger, in better condition and better connected.”
National Nature Reserve status is given to the very best nature conservation sites in England and is recognition that the land is nationally important and will be managed in perpetuity for its wildlife and geology.
Environment Minister, and Taunton Deane MP, Rebecca Pow said: “Somerset is blessed with an exceptional range of habitats and an enviable host of wildlife. It’s absolutely fitting to see the creation of a major National Nature Reserve on the Mendips - the second in two years in our county that will support our ambitious plans to halt and reverse nature’s decline, as set out in our Environmental Improvement Plan.
“The new Mendip National Nature Reserve will support wildlife corridors to benefit many of the wildlife species that inhabit this area - from the bats that roost in the iconic caves to the Hazel Dormice that live in the fields and woodlands. Much of this reserve is also easily accessible along the Mendip Way, so can be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Having grown up on a Somerset farm in the lee of the Mendip Hills I have always known this area was special and I am delighted this has been recognised.”
Many National Nature Reserves are managed – like the Mendip National Nature Reserve - by multiple parties also known as Approved Bodies who are committed to working together towards a shared future vision for the Nature Reserve.
Read more about the power of National Nature Reserves in this blog by Tony Juniper.
You can find out more about the King's Series of National Nature Reserves here.