Conservationists and volunteers celebrated as authorities designated Old Park and Chequers Wood a Local Wildlife Site.
Kent Nature Partnership and Canterbury City Council confirmed the new status, calling it a major victory for nature.
Volunteers Recognized for Conservation Efforts
Dave Shenton, Kent Wildlife Trust officer, praised Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood for their dedication.
He said their work shows how nature unites communities and offers hope amid climate and biodiversity crises.
Expanding Protections for Biodiversity
The Local Wildlife Site now covers roughly one-third of the green space, complementing existing protections on half the land.
Parts of the area already hold Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, including sections of Canterbury Golf Course.
Habitat Importance and Species Conservation
Authorities recognized the site for its biodiversity, community value, and role in buffering the neighboring SSSI.
The green space supports rare reptiles, birds, invertebrates, and plants, including 16 species listed on the Kent Rare Plant Register.
Habitats also provide essential breeding grounds for nightingales, whose populations continue to decline sharply across the UK.
