The Back to Orange Project

The Wyre Forest is one of our largest ancient semi-natural woodlands. It covers over 2,400 hectares.

The forest has one of the highest butterfly and moth species counts in the entire UK. It is home to around 1,200 species.

The Wyre Forest is a national stronghold for significant numbers of important butterflies and moths such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Common Fan-foot and Drab Looper.

Butterfly Conservation works with a variety of organisations to put forward plans to restore the Wyre Forest landscape.

The Wyre Forest Landscape Partnership were awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of 1.8 million to implement the 'Grow with Wyre scheme.

This scheme includes 22 projects on subjects including orchard restoration, new walks in the forest and the creation of a new community discovery centre.

The Back to Orange' project focuses on conserving the endangered butterflies and moths of the forest. Management work to improve habitats is being carried out in six areas of the forest.

The surveying, monitoring and research element of the project focuses on key Lepidoptera.

Conact

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

Funders

SITA Trust, HLF, Wyre Forest Study Group. The Back to Orange Project is being jointly managed by the Forestry Commission and Butterfly Conservation.