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Defra announces six new nature recovery projects
"These nature recovery projects will enrich our landscapes for wildlife" - Tony Juniper

Species such as curlews, great crested newts and little terns set to benefit.

Six new nature recovery projects have been launched by Natural England and the Government. They aim to create enhanced and better-connected habitats for wildlife and improve public access to nature.

The multi-partnership collaborative projects will cover 176,000 hectares of land in England. The projects will strengthen the national Nature Recovery Network and help to deliver nature recovery on a large scale.

Supported by £7.4 million funding from Defra and Natural England, the nature recovery projects are:

  • East of Eden, Cumbria - The project will support land managers to create habitats for species such as the curlew, black grouse and the Teesdale violet. Flood management techniques will reduce flood risk and improve the absorption of carbon by rewetting peat.
  • The Lost Wetlands, Cheshire to Lancashire - The project will reclaim, restore and rewet wetland habitats that will benefit dragonflies, great crested nest and water voles.
  • Tees Estuary Recovering Nature, Northumbria - The TERN Project will work with partners to improve, create and restore coastal, estuarine and land-based habitats. The area is home to common seals, roosting waders and wildfowl including the little tern, wintering knot, ringed plover and redshank.
  • Heathlands Connections, Surrey – The project will restore, enhance and connect rare lowland heathland habitat within the western section of the Surrey Hills AONB. The work will benefit ground nesting birds including the nightjar and Dartford warbler.
  • Bradford and South Pennines, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire – The project will restore and enhance the condition of the upland peat landscapes in the South Pennines, restoring habitats for moorland birds such as the endangered twite. Green corridors will also be created to allow wildlife to move freely. Natural flood management techniques will create wetland habitats to benefit communities at risk of flooding.
  • Seaford to Eastbourne, Sussex and Kent – The project will build on research into chalk aquifers in the area. The work will create clean water supplies for nearby towns and benefit species such as the rare wart-biter cricket.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: “These nature recovery projects will enrich our landscapes for wildlife, develop resilience to climate change, catch carbon and help to clean up air and water. They will help restore entire ecosystems, allowing many species of wild animals and plants to spread and thrive. They will also enhance the opportunities people have to make the most of the wellbeing benefits that come with connecting to the natural world.” 

The projects will help deliver commitments made in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan which aims to stop the decline in nature and help plants and wildlife to thrive.

Environment minister Trudy Harrison, said: “We want to create accessible, nature-rich places closer to where people live, and encourage communities to learn more about the wild landscapes on their doorsteps so they can play their part in helping to protect them."

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.