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Landscapes for Life Week 2020: Nature

Although face to face activities may not be possible this year, AONBs across the country are still keen to celebrate Landscapes for Life Week, albeit in a quieter way. Today, we’re taking a closer look at nature in our AONBs.

Totem (c) Sian Lister
Coombe Heath (c) Michael Brown

In Dorset, the great variety of landscapes in the AONB mean that we have an amazing variety of wildlife too. Purbeck is one of the richest places for wildlife in the UK, thanks to its unique combination of open coast, natural harbour, heathland, chalk and limestone habitats.

The Dorset AONB leads the Wild Purbeck Partnership which was set up to work together to conserve and enhance these valuable habitats at a landscape scale. It is made up of a number of different conservation and landowning organisations and has achieved real successes since it formed. Find out more 

New Wild Purbeck Coordinator

We’re delighted to welcome Caroline Kelly to the AONB Team this week. Caroline will be promoting and supporting action for wildlife in Purbeck through the Wytch Farm Landscape & Access Enhancement Fund.

Read more

Explore the nature on your doorstep

  • Autumn can be a great time to explore and keep your eyes out for wildlife. The RSPB reserve at Arne has the winning combination of ancient woodland (great for autumn colour and deer), heathland (all 6 of the UKs reptiles) and the shores of Poole Harbour (look out for migrating birds, including osprey).
  • You don’t need to get out and about to enjoy nature – have a look at the webcam in Poole Harbour for a chance of seeing the Ospreys close up!
  • Powerstock Common is just one of the beautiful nature reserves managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust. Wander along the tracks and trails to see the last of the summer butterflies and the changing colours of autumn.

Working together for wildlife

AONBs have a strong track record of looking after wildlife – redressing species & habitat decline. The 46 AONBs in the UK are working together with the National Association for AONBs to tackle the impact of climate change on wildlife together. Signing up to the Colchester Declaration in 2019, we are pleased to be working together to increase the scale and pace of our work for nature. Follow #MyNationalLandscapes for updates.

Thanks to Michael Brown (Coombe heath), Ian A Kirk (sand lizard), Kevin Cook (Red Squirrel) and Sian Lister (ladybirds)  for use of images.