Natural England has announced the opening of the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve, offering access to a mosaic of ancient woodlands, vineyards, and chalk grasslands in one of England’s most significant conservation areas.
More than 400,000 people live within five miles of the reserve and eight million people live just an hour’s drive away, making this opening an exciting opportunity for millions of people to connect with internationally important nature.
The new National Nature Reserve covers almost 1900 hectares in all, with 800 at its core. It is the first of its kind to be launched with additional ‘affiliated land’ which will support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve, extending over a further 1,100 hectares.
Throughout the reserve there are more than 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, many of which are centuries old. These wooded areas are surrounded by wildflower meadows and chalk grasslands providing homes for flagship species including, orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, hazel dormouse and skylarks.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said, “Creating bigger, better and more joined up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature’s recovery. This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside.
“This reserve presents one further excellent example of the progress that can be made when people decide to work together across landscapes.
“Millions of people visit our National Nature Reserves and having a new one accessible to so many people and with such fantastic Nature is truly a cause for celebration.”
Nick Johanssen, from Kent Downs National Landscape said, “The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is especially exciting because of its sheer scale, nearly 20 square kilometres of land managed for nature, people, its beauty and history and for scientific research… and so close to the urban centres of Gravesend and the Medway towns.
“Many partners from the public, private, community and charity sectors are working together here, on some of the very best sites for wildlife in England. Together we have committed to work for nature recovery and connect our land to become a new National Nature Reserve.”
Alongside long-term management for the precious habitats found at the site, the declaration of the newest National Nature Reserve in the King’s Series also offers the prime example of how conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand.
The site is home to the Silverhand Estate, the largest single organic and carbon-negative vineyard in the UK. For organisations like Silverhand, healthy nature is essential to business, which serves as a reminder that nature underpins all parts of our economy.
This new National Nature Reserve directly supports the government’s commitment to restore and protect our natural world by expanding nature-rich habitats where people can explore and wildlife can thrive.
This is the 8th reserve to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, which will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature by creating or extending 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.
With support from Natural England and Kent Downs National Landscape, the Reserve will be managed by several partners including the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, Plantlife, Silverhand Estate (Vineyard Farms Ltd), and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust. Affiliated partners include Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac and Forestry England.
Image credit: Kent Downs National Landscape