Cumbria Wildlife Trust surveys 1,600 Local Wildlife Sites to assess their condition decades after designation.
The sites act as corridors for animals and insects, linking nature reserves and better-known habitats across the county.
Emily Stewart-Rayner said many sites haven’t been studied since their designation many decades ago.
Importance of Local Wildlife Sites
Local Wildlife Sites include woodlands, meadows, and roadside verges. Scientists select them based on environmental criteria.
Although the law does not protect them, authorities recognize their ecological importance.
Stewart-Rayner said monitoring these areas provides a snapshot of how Cumbria’s habitats are currently faring.
After surveys, panels of experts and volunteer botanists decide whether the sites meet criteria or need re-designation.
The Cumbria County Wildlife Sites Project has surveyed over 100 locations in the past 18 months.
Stewart-Rayner said monitoring helps prioritize efforts to protect nature against growing environmental pressures.
Churchyard Reveals Thriving Habitats
Surveyors studied St Oswald’s churchyard in Ravenstonedale near Kirkby Stephen.
They found thriving lichens, mosses, ferns, trees, and flowers along the monastery and nearby stream.
The trust said the site demonstrates how habitats can benefit both wildlife and people visiting the church.
Railways and Urban Stepping Stones
The disused railway from Newbiggin on Lune to Kirkby Stephen supports the rare scotch argus butterfly.
Urban areas also act as critical wildlife stepping stones.
Midgey Gill, a woodland near Whitehaven Castle, hosts lady fern, broad buckler fern, kestrels, sparrowhawks, and great spotted woodpeckers.
Collaborative Conservation Efforts
The project involves private and public landowners, local authorities, and environmental organizations working together.
The trust uses survey results to guide habitat management and wildlife protection strategies across Cumbria.
