THE Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has formed a partnership with the Ministry of Defence that will see large areas of land around Bordon managed for wildlife. The MoD training areas around Bordon, some of which are very important for their wildlife because of the open heathland habitat, is in need of professioanal management in order to maintain the rare plants and animals found there. Alex Cruickshank, the grazing manager for the Wildlife Trust, said: "One of the best and most sustainable ways of managing the heath is to introduce suitable grazing livestock. "They munch their way through grass, heather and small trees, creating the ideal conditions for a host of wildlife. "The heaths would have been grazed in the past, but unfortunately this has stopped because of the changes in farming practices." The Ministry of Defence has called in the Wildlife Trust to help deliver the right kind of grazing. The new scheme will involve working with local farmers to source traditionally hardy breeds of cattle, that are suited to the tough conditions found on the heath. The Trust is calling for local people and regular visitors to the area to become the 'eyes and ears' of the new initiative and to check the welfare of the cattle. Educational courses will soon be launced, so that the 'lookers' will know what to look out for. In the future the Wildlife Trust will be marketing the meat raised on the heaths, which will mean low food miles, great taste and helping lots of rare wildlife. The wildlife that will benefit includes the carnivorous Sundew, a plant found in the boggy areas, and the ferocious Green Tiger beetle that hunts for its prey on open, sandy patches. The first area to benefit from this project will be the training area at Longmoor Camp where the trust hopes to introduce cattle later in the year. For more information, or to volunteer call 01489 774400.
