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Essex
Essex School Orchards Project
Project Summary: Provide an educational resource for schools which will introduce children and parents to the importance of orchards for biodiversity and ties in with education on food, healthy eating and sustainability
County: Essex
Area: County-wide
Habitats: Orchards
Key species: Planting new orchards with traditional Essex apple varieties
Old orchards are soon to be a National Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat, recognising their value as wildlife habitat, reservoirs of genetic biodiversity and also their cultural importance.
We cannot create old orchards but we can plant new ones, so we are getting a new generation involved in orchards through our school orchard project. Primary school children have been planting traditional Essex apple varieties.
With funding through the Essex Biodiversity Project, education outreach staff from Essex Wildlife Trust and Daws Hall Centre for Environmental Education have planted over thirty orchards in schools across Essex and provided educational days to show the children and staff how to care for and appreciate their new orchards.
With extra support, we can reach even more schools and we intend to extend this project into the future.*
*Any interested schools please contact us for details.
Tiptree Heath Restoration Project
Project Summary: A partnership including the Friends of Tiptree Heath, the Essex Biodiversity Project, Essex Wildlife Trust and Natural England are working to introduce grazing to the heath
County: Essex
Area: Tiptree, near Colchester
Habitats: Heathland
Key species: Cross leaved heath, Ling, Bell Heather, Chaffweed, Allseed
Essex Wildlife Trust and the Essex Biodiversity Project are working hard to safeguard the largest heathland site in Essex at Tiptree heath SSSI. Like many heathland sites traditional management has lapsed and consequently the conservation interest had declined and access has been impeded through encroaching scrub and tree growth.
Joan Pinch, Tiptree Heath’s Community Warden has worked tirelessly to promote this unique site and restore the habitat her, both to benefit important wildlife and improve access for people to enjoy the heath. Local residents and other visitors are keen to see improvements.
Soon perimeter fencing will be installed and a small herd of traditional breed cattle will graze, maintaining an ideal wildlife habitat and retaining the sites open character. Heritage Lottery Funding and Environmental Stewardship money through the Higher Level Scheme has made this first stage possible.
We encourage visitors from all ages and backgrounds to visit and enjoy the heath, which is free to the public. With your support, we can help to ensure the future of this spectacular site.
Make Smart Savings now:
Find out more about The Wildlife Trusts work across the Eastern Region: Our Big Vision
Visit the website of Essex Wildlife Trust.
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