Please see news below from the National Trust regarding restoring our wetlands on the area known as Big East Common.
Work will begin on Big East Common in Corfe Castle this winter. Contractors will infill drainage channels to recreate a more natural floodplain. Some trees will be thinned to let light through, allowing other aquatic plants to grow. This will restore wetland habitats, and benefit species such as the beautiful, but highly endangered, southern damselfly. Volunteers will create small-scale leaky dams in the channels across the site. These slow the flow of streams and trap sediment, storing more water in the landscape. This is a continuation of work carried out by volunteers since 2020.
Work begins w/c 5th February 2024 to restore the wetlands on Big East Common in Corfe. It will take approximately one week.
For your safety:
- Please keep clear of machinery
- Keep your dogs on leads where work is in progress
What does the work involve?
- Contractors are infilling drainage channels to recreate a more natural floodplain.
- Some trees will be thinned to let light through and allow other aquatic plants to grow.
- As an ongoing project, volunteers are also creating small-scale leaky dams to slow the flow of streams and store more water in the landscape.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands are incredibly important as habitats for wildlife, as well as filtering pollution, preventing flooding and storing carbon.
Halting the decline
An estimated 90% of UK wetland habitats have been lost. To halt the decline, the National Trust is working with local communities, farmers and landowners on wetland restoration projects across Purbeck.
For information or if you have any questions please contact purbeck@nationaltrust.org.uk
