Update regarding prescribed burning at Corfe Common this week.
This week (20th February), National Trust staff hope to undertake a prescribed burn of gorse at West Common. Prescribed burning, also know as Swaling, is undertaken in a targeted manner and all fires are conducted by trained staff, in accordance with the necessary regulations. Burning will only take place if the conditions are suitable and it can be carried out responsibly and safely. Monitoring of vegetation on Corfe Common by our ecology staff and volunteers over the previous four years, has shown that the species rich acid grasslands of the common are under threat from the spread of gorse and bracken. Prescribed burning is generally considered to be a ‘carbon neutral’ land management method, as the regrowth reabsorbs the carbon that was released into the atmosphere during burning. University of Exeter wildFIRE lab will be working alongside us to gather information that shows the benefits and lack of negative consequences of burning to long term carbon stores and biodiversity.
If you have any queries, please contact the National Trust Purbeck Office on 01929 450002
