Conservation on a grand scale

This far-reaching project includes well-known areas like the Wyre Forest, Cannock Chase and the Malvern Hills to the less well-known Shropshire Woodlands and Metal Mines.

There are 11 such schemes in the West Midlands, focussing on Lepidoptera areas which have been identified in the Regional Action Plan. They include the Wyre Forest, Malvern Hills and Cannock Chase.

These are national strongholds of huge importance. They are home to some of the region’s rarest butterflies and moths, including the High Brown Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Welsh Clearwing moth.

Less well-known areas include Shropshire Metal Mines and South Shropshire Woodlands, which are important for particular species such as the Grayling, Wood White and Dingy Skipper.

The Project Aims

• To raise awareness of priority butterflies and moths and to encourage appropriate management for them
• To increase the network of sites and to improve the linkage between sites in these areas
• To work in partnership with local organisations
• To increase the level of survey, research and monitoring work with specific projects targeted at particular species or sites
• Involve more volunteers in survey and monitoring work for key species
• Produce a computerised map-based (GIS) database of key sites

Contact

Email your comments or queries to Dr. Jenny Joy, West Midlands Senior Regional Officer.

Funders

Countdown 2010, Esmée Fairbairn, Natural England