Nature and environment sector potential activities

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The potential activities below could be done by the nature and environment sector to help achieve Dorset’s nature recovery priorities. Select the titles to see what potential activities could help achieve each priority.

Priority 1 Grasslands
Priority 2 Woodlands
Priority 3 Heathlands
Priority 4 Rivers, lakes and wetlands
Priority 5 Coastal
Priority 6 Hedgerows
Priority 7 Urban
Priority 8 Farming
Priority 9 Natural processes
Priority 10 Nature-based solution
Priority 11 Nature connection
Priority 12 Species abundance and diversity

Priority 1 Grasslands

Potential activities for grasslands include:

protect and sustainably manage the few remaining species-rich grassland sites and increase connectivity between these sites and other nature-rich habitats
manage meadows and pastures to support abundant wildflowers and associated wildlife, for example, insects, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles
create more species-rich grassland habitats
encourage diverse sward heights on grassland, with some areas developing into longer tussocks, pockets of scrub and keeping some bare ground to increase diversity and help join up different habitats
make existing species-rich grassland bigger, expanding them to be big enough to protect from external pressures, enhance resilience and encourage natural processes
source local seeds or green hay from existing species-rich grassland (source/arc/donor sites) to restore meadows in other places in Dorset
enhance and create hedgerows alongside grassland to help transition between grassland and other habitat types
create or enhance wood pasture, parkland and/or orchards between species-rich grassland as important connecting habitat
increase species-richness of semi-improved grassland. For example, by reducing chemical inputs, adding in different native plant species, or using rotational grazing
when considering acid grassland management, consider if it is appropriate to use conservation grazing to develop a mix of heathland and grassland, thereby increasing habitat and species diversity and helping join up heathland fragments
when creating or enhancing grassland habitats, keep existing wet features like depressions or re-wet historically wet areas of the land
manage verges alongside National Trails and Public Rights of Way to act as species-rich corridors, helping wildlife connect and allowing people to travel along and enjoy access to nature. This may involve a mix of grassland, hedgerows and trees

Priority 2 Woodlands

Potential activities for woodlands include:

manage woodland to improve ecological condition, by all woodland managers creating and implementing a woodland management plan that is UK Forestry Standard compliant. Following a management plan helps maximise biodiversity, and wider environmental and economic benefits
for individual ancient and veteran trees, wood pasture, and parkland, create and implement bespoke management plans
protect, enhance and connect the remaining ancient woodland sites and ancient and veteran trees
enhance the structure and diversity of existing woodlands, by increasing the variety of ages of trees, canopy structure, and species. As well as retaining and creating open space and standing and fallen deadwood
act now to undertake gradual and informed restoration on Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). Start by protecting and enhancing existing native woodland features like veteran trees and plants below the trees, then gradually change all the trees to native broadleaf woodland as quickly as ecologically sensible
where restocking existing woodlands, and appropriate to site objectives, use natural regeneration, from existing seed sources to improve the structure and resilience of woodlands
expand and buffer native woodlands, using natural colonisation where seed sources are present. Support the development of woodland, scrub and different types of ‘woody’ mosaic habitats
establish new woodlands consistent with the UK Forest Standard, applying the ‘right tree, right place’ principle. Ideally create new woodland that buffers, expands and links existing woodlands, especially ancient woodlands
source and use a diverse range of bio-secure trees and plants for tree and woodland establishment projects. Use a broad and mixed palette suited to objectives. Use native species where possible, if using non-native species to provide climate resilience, prioritise near- native species and never use species that are likely to become invasive or plant large scale monocultures
restore and establish new areas of wood pasture, parkland, and traditional orchards to increase biodiversity and create corridors for species to move between adjacent woodlands. Manage these habitats to maximise diversity of species and structure, for example, restorative pruning, seasonal grazing
enhance and create hedgerows to ensure a diverse mix of tree and hedgerow plants and stagger the management cycle
maintain active management of coppice stands and woodlands, and restore lapsed coppice woodlands, bringing these into management, delivering environmental benefits, wood products and economic benefit
support the continuation of the hazel coppice industry and relate d rural industries such as hedge laying, to ensure associated woodland and hedgerow management continues
where possible implement Minimum Intervention Areas to enable a more natural, unmanaged, woodland structure to evolve, this will benefit wildlife species such as bats
in woodlands on acid soils, retain, buffer and connect heathland remnants to support species movement and restoration, for example by managing
rides and tracks. In these areas it should be a priority to remove conifers, and restore mire systems with scrub and wet woodland components
as part of woodland habitat creation or enhancement, keep existing wet features like depressions or re-wet historically wet areas of the land, creating or enhancing ponds where appropriate
coordinate landscape management of deer, grey squirrel and invasive species as outlined under priority 12

Priority 3 Heathlands

Potential activities for heathlands include:

protect existing heathland sites, managing them to improve their condition and increase connectivity between fragmented sites, for example by managing rides and tracks
manage heathland to have a varied structure of heather and bare ground and to stop the colonisation of invasive plant species. For example, through light extensive grazing, mowing, heather and turf cutting, and some licenced small-scale burns. Burning is often not the most appropriate management method, licencing, consultation and regulations must be followed before burns
expand and connect current and potential heathland sites so they are big enough to protect from external pressures and encourage natural process
restore dry and wet heath habitats to improve ecosystem function, restoring wet heaths and valley mires alongside dry heaths allows natural hydrological processes to function. In some places this will enable peat formation, which in turn captures and stores carbon
manage some open areas in forests, such as heathland, wetland and peatland, to provide a network of habitats for wildlife, connected with existing habitats beyond the woodland site. Maintain woodland tracks, edges and rides to support heathland connectivity
reduce the risk of fires to protect precious heathland habitats and prevent wildfire spreading to nearby homes and communities. For example, raising awareness that it’s illegal to barbecue on heathlands or sharing practical advice for people to protect their homes from wildfire
reduce pressures from recreational disturbance on heathlands. For example, providing suitable alternative natural greenspaces (SANGs) and raising awareness of ways people can enjoy heathlands responsibly by continuing the work of Dorset Heaths Partnership
managing heathland sites with high levels of air pollution by more frequent heath management, more intensive grazing or soil stripping to take away nutrient rich soil and invasive plants and create bare ground. Continue wider efforts to protect heathlands from air pollution
as part of heathland habitat creation or enhancement, keep existing wet features like depressions or re-wet historically wet areas of land
restore heathland where appropriate, following the open habitats policy. This may include removing conifers and managing natural regeneration
explore opportunities to restore heathland from conifer plantation, especially where this can expand and connect existing heathland, restore disrupted hydrology to favour peat formation or utilise less productive conifer plantations
apply learning from recent changes in the management of conifer forests on former heathland in Purbeck to other relevant parts of Dorset
create and enhance bare ground areas on heathland to benefit plants, invertebrates, and sand lizard

Priority 4 Rivers, lakes and wetlands

Potential activities for rivers, lakes and wetlands include:

restore and enhance chalk streams and winterbourne streams and the important species they support
protect, enhance and connect Dorset’s few remaining wetland sites
reconnect rivers to their historic floodplain and re-establish dynamic wetland habitats
create or restore areas of wetland within existing woodland, heathland or grassland
carry out river restoration. For example, re-meander rivers that have been straightened to allow the water to take a natural path or put natural materials into the river channel to slow the flow of water (leaky dams)
create, restore or protect priority ponds and adjacent habitats to provide homes for rare and endangered species
remove man-made barriers in rivers that restrict fish movement or provide ways to swim around them. This in turn could lead to restoration of much larger areas of habitat that were lost due to the barrier. This may require coordination with multiple organisations and relevant permissions to be in place
restore and ‘re-wet’ peatlands to provide wildlife habitat and act as sponges that filter water to improve water quality, regulate water flow, increase flood protection and improve carbon storage
introduce mixed age cyclical reed cutting into reedbed management plans where possible, creating mixed age reed stands and enhancing habitats. Explore the potential to use materials from reedbed management to supply bioenergy, or once water quality improves, the thatching industry to help reduce its carbon footprint
reduce the risk of prescription medication reaching and polluting waterways, by taking medications according to prescription and using pharmacies to dispose of any medications that are no longer required
consider the role of beavers in maintaining and creating wetlands, follow all licencing procedures for beaver releases and plan the management of potential impacts on infrastructure, livelihoods and buildings
support communities where free-living beavers are present through the Dorset Beaver Management Group by providing advice on management requirements in response to beaver activity
if working on greensand or chalk geology that may contain small wetland features like seepage springs, seek specialist advice about their conservation and recovery. Explore opportunities for sustainable use of spring water to increase water supply resilience in farming

Priority 5 Coastal

Potential activities for coastal include:

create new areas of intertidal habitats such as salt marsh and mudflats in response to sea levels rising against fixed flood and coastal erosion defences (coastal squeeze)
create new coastal habitats inland as part of managed realignment to accommodate and compensate for the expected shift of coastal systems towards the land as sea levels rise
for coastal areas with high numbers of people visiting, use a mixture of methods to make more space for wildlife. For example, changing access patterns to give wildlife more space and providing alternative opportunities for people to connect with coastal nature, or creating areas for wildlife on nearby land that will be less disturbed, such as ground nesting habitat for birds on adjacent undisturbed fields
seek to restore lost coastal and intertidal habitats such as seagrass beds, oyster reefs, mussel beds, saltmarsh and sand dunes, as improvements in underlying environmental conditions allow
pull back from intensive farming in fields close to cliff edges, to create space for cliff top habitats and wildlife to survive and move as the coastline recedes through cliff falls and landslips
connect habitats along the coast with habitats inland and support wildlife corridors
create and enhance alternative sites for people to enjoy recreation, such as dog walking, to reduce pressure on sensitive coastal areas
tackle plastic pollution in coastal waters by promoting ways to reduce single-use plastic and microplastics and reducing litter left on beaches and further up the river catchment
enhance the coastal margin as a green corridor connecting habitats along the coast, as part of the Coastal Wildbelt initiative, the coastal margin spans from the South West Coast Path and the King Charles III England Coast Path to the mean low-water mark

Priority 6 Hedgerows

survey hedgerows to understand current structure and diversity and identify what restoration work is needed. Community volunteers can be a great help to do this at scale
manage a hedge on a cycle, such as the Adams Hedgerow Management Scale adapted by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
improve hedge structure by avoiding cutting the hedge to the same height each year, instead use incremental cutting to trim hedges about 10cm higher and wider each time
reduce hedge cutting to every 2 or 3 years. Over a larger site, cut a selection of hedges across different parts of the site on rotation
leave cutting until late winter (December to January) to allow wildlife to feed on berries and fruit through winter, but before the hedges start growing in spring
do not cut hedgerows during the bird nesting season (1^st March – 31^st August) to avoid disturbing nests, eggs or chicks which are protected by law. If you discover nesting birds outside of the bird nesting season dates, it is still a crime to disturb them. Birds often start setting up territory before the season begins, so it is ideal to get cutting done in December to January. Follow national hedgerow management rules, which include exemptions for situations like managing hedgerows overhanging roads for driver safety
protect old trees within the hedgerow, and identify some new plants within the hedge that will be allowed to grow up into mature hedgerow trees
fill in gaps in hedgerows by planting native shrubs and trees to improve structure and diversity
encourage a diverse range of tree, shrub and plant species in hedges, as well as scrub and wildflower banks alongside hedgerows
create grassy buffer strips alongside hedges with a variety of wildflowers to increase diversity and connectivity
plant new hedges with native trees (ideally every 20m) and shrub species that are found in the local area, and use a mix of different species to support a variety of wildlife
when creating or enhancing hedgerows, plant double hedgerows where possible as these provide sheltered corridors favoured by bats
maintain or establish hedges in places that will connect habitats, such as other hedges, woodlands, grasslands or orchards
consider using hedge laying or hedge coppicing to help restore hedgerows
where appropriate, allow hedges to grow wide and tall (over 3m and at least 2m in width) to give bats the opportunity to hang up and feed
create or enhance scrub alongside hedgerows as important transitional habitat and increase connectivity between hedgerows and other habitat types

Priority 7 Urban

Potential activities for urban include:

use wildlife-friendly gardening practices in homes, businesses, community growing projects, churchyards and similar spaces
create dead wood habitats such as standing dead wood, log piles and dead hedges to provide homes for wildlife, using locally sourced material
explore the suitability of newer methods of creating woodland. For example, the Miyawaki method involves planting a large number of seedlings at once, to replicate natural regeneration as the fastest growing saplings will thin out the rest
protect and enhance green corridors that connect up nature areas to help wildlife travel through towns, and often provide trails for people to travel along too
continue and grow the number of community farms, allotments and other growing projects using nature-friendly practices such as no chemicals and rainwater harvesting
manage verges alongside National Trails and Public Rights of Way to act as species- rich corridors, helping wildlife connect and allowing people to travel along and enjoy access to nature. This may involve a mix of grassland, hedgerows and trees
protect or create patches of bare rock habitat amongst other habitat in urban spaces because these support wildlife such as invertebrates, lichens and mosses. For example, leaving bare rock exposed in cuttings, natural stone buildings or keeping a rock face in quarry restoration

Priority 8 Farming

Potential activities for farming include:

work with neighbouring farms and other partners to coordinate nature recovery activities across the landscape and share equipment and knowledge. For example, by joining a farmer cluster or landscape scale recovery project
support initiatives that improve marketing of local sustainable produced food, and help connect farmers and consumers
support farmers and land managers to work together to enable efficient woodland management, sale of timber wood products and best practice on management and biosecurity
as part of habitat creation or enhancement, keep existing wet features like depressions or re-wet historically wet areas of the land
if extracting small amounts of mineral for other works on farm, consider whether appropriate to leave some exposed bare rock, sand or gravel habitat for wildlife. This can also be a learning opportunity for others to observe and understand more about geology

Priority 9 Natural processes

Potential activities for natural processes include:

allow water to flow naturally across the landscape, for example, re-meander straightened rivers, stage zero river restoration, restore small flushes and ponds, and recreate wet areas within other habitats like grassland, woodland and heathland
allow trees and woodlands to establish through natural colonisation where seed sources are present or through succession, rather than planting
use informed naturalistic or rotational grazing management to mimic natural grazing patterns of wild herbivores
use browsing animals, that eat woody vegetation rather than grass, to prevent the whole landscape becoming closed canopy woodland and keep some open habitat areas
rewild some areas to enable the mass recovery of ecosystems

Priority 10 Nature-based solutions

Potential activities for nature-based solutions include:

follow a natural flood management (NFM) approach to protect, restore and emulate the natural functions of catchments, floodplains, rivers and the coast
create or restore wet habitats in floodplains to help store flood water and catch nutrients and sediments before they enter rivers. These areas can also provide healthy food for livestock to graze during drier weather, and become havens for pollinators and other wildlife. Beavers can be part of the process of creating expanded wetland habitats
enhance and create habitats to help mitigate climate change, natural habitats capture and store carbon. Peatland, broadleaved woodland and saltmarsh are examples of habitats that tend to be larger carbon stores, but many other habitat types provide some carbon storage, and a variety of habitats is needed for a functioning ecosystem
create wetlands to provide final treatment of wastewater before this recycled water is safely returned back into the environment
create new wetlands to treat discharges of untreated sewage from storm overflows before they are released into rivers and waterways
enhance and create hedgerows that slow the flow of water across the landscape, which helps reduce flood risk and improve water quality by reducing the amount of sediment and pollution in rivers. Hedges are also a carbon store, as well as providing wildlife habitats and corridors
create buffer strips near waterbodies on farms to reduce sediment and chemicals entering water
include fire dependable lines, ponds and emergency service access routes within heathland to reduce wildfire risk, increase the ability to contain fires, and improve resilience to climate change
maintain and increase green social prescribing, supporting people to take part in nature-based activities that can help improve health and wellbeing
embed the importance of nature recovery across all organisations so that senior decision-makers champion nature and consider nature-based solutions as part of decision making
use sustainable farming practices to produce healthy food and support initiatives to connect people with local sustainably produced food

Priority 11 Nature connection

Potential activities for nature connection include:

showcase and champion the huge range of activities already happening for nature recovery in Dorset, and celebrate the people involved to help inspire others
continue and grow Dorset’s strong history of partnership working. For example, farm clusters, catchment based approach, and landscape recovery projects. Use this strategy as a tool to help target collaborative efforts, working together across sectors by listening without judgement, sharing knowledge and pooling resources
share advice to help develop and implement a land management plan, if one is not already in place. For example, for farmers, landowner, land managers, community groups, town and parish councils, schools
share successes and learning from trailblazing transformational landscape scale projects and enhance the collective efforts of farmers and landowners
use public sector resources to carry out nature recovery projects as demonstrators (for example, nutrient mitigation or county farms), then champion the private sector to drive delivery
work with architects, builders and roofers to raise awareness of potential impacts of development on wildlife and the benefits of seeking ecological advice early in the design process
provide training to landscape architects and grounds maintenance teams on wildlife-friendly gardening practices
collaborate with recording groups and citizen scientists to explore how they can help measure progress and promote opportunities for more people to get involved, from annual wildlife count days to regular wildlife monitoring groups
share information on what people can do to help wildlife at home. For example, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s wildlife-friendly spaces award, BCP Council’s Nature Pledge
support communities to understand and celebrate any changes happening through habitat restoration and why it is needed. For example, information signs on footpaths and near projects, volunteer days, and explaining the positives of having wilder areas that may seem ‘untidy’ to some
raise awareness of ways people can enjoy nature, while minimising pressures this can put on wildlife. For example, Dorset Dogs and The Countryside Code
continue the work of the Partnership Against Rural Crime to raise awareness of what a wildlife crime is and how to report it and how to report it
build on existing provision of nature related activities in nurseries, schools, colleges and youth clubs. For example, increase forest school for all students, assembly packs for eco clubs to deliver, trips to natural spaces and farms, on-site growing of food, plants and trees, resources for educators to embed nature recovery themes across all lessons/subjects, geo-caching
continue and expand the variety of nature-related activities in communities across Dorset, giving more time for people to connect with nature or get involved in nature conservation. For example, community gardening, pond-dipping experiences, natural arts and crafts, mindfulness sessions, outdoor physical activities
maintain and increase green social prescribing, supporting people to take part in nature-based activities that can help improve health and wellbeing, meet a diverse range of needs, and foster nature connectedness
include sustainable farming, sustainable forestry and land management and conservation courses in local college curriculum
make more space for nature nearby people’s homes, especially in areas where it is estimate 30% or less of the population live within a 300m walk of nature
increase training of greenspace maintenance contractors to include managing grassland and other habitats with nature recovery in mind, including training on the equipment required and where this is available for hire
promote the opportunity for traditional livestock breed rearing and grazing to meet the demand for conservation grazing as part of habitat management
promote ways for people to connect with nature when using footpaths, national trails, rights of way and open access land
explore opportunities to deliver nature recovery projects in places with heritage assets or historical features, to benefit the natural and historic environment
share opportunities for people to learn more about local geodiversity, how it supports the natural environment, what nature recovery activities are supported by different geology, and opportunities to conserve geology through volunteering

Priority 12 Species abundance and diversity

Potential activities for species abundance and diversity include:

create a network of naturally functioning diverse habitats across the county, supported by more nature-friendly land management practices across all the surrounding areas by delivering the activities listed under all the other priorities in this strategy
make simple changes across Dorset to help increase species abundance, such as herbal leys and diverse seed mixes on farms, encouraging natural regeneration of woodlands, and leaving wilder areas in parks and open spaces
use wildlife-friendly gardening practices. For example, peat-free compost, hedgehog house, not using chemicals or slug pellets
use local and native species when creating new spaces for nature as part of building development, but also consider new species where these provide a similar ecological function and are suited to the built environment
undertake targeted and sustained control of non- native and invasive plants and animals, for example, rhododendron, Himalayan balsam, snowberry, sour fig, cotoneaster, Japanese rose, giant hogweed, water fern and mink. Use resources from the non-native species secretariat for further information and examples
coordinate landscape scale management of sustainable deer populations to improve the ecological condition of semi-natural habitats, supporting the natural regeneration of trees, woody shrubs and ground flora, and to protect agricultural crops. Control muntjac deer (as an invasive species). Within both Wareham and Purbeck focus management actions upon sika deer populations
monitor tree stocks for pests and disease, and where impacts are high, adapt woodland management plans and practices to respond. Refer to Forest Research for further information
coordinate shared approach to respond to ash dieback across land ownership boundaries
if plants or trees are lost to disease, re-plant with a more resistant and diverse species mix but make sure these perform similar or enhanced ecological functions and are native if possible
explore options for landscape scale management of grey squirrel populations and deliver this to improve ecological condition of woodlands and reduce pressures on other animals, such as mammals and birds. Include an evaluation of the feasibility for pine marten reintroduction
use badger surveillance and vaccination as part of the new TB eradication strategy
stop the spread of common wall lizard into new areas, particularly heathland. Raise awareness of how to identify the species and what people should do if found. Carry out surveys of new or spreading populations, to control before they become established
control Alpine newt, survey populations and stop their spread into new areas. Raise awareness of what people should do if they spot them and how to avoid accidentally helping them spread
raise awareness of how to quickly identify areas with newly colonised sour fig and rapidly control and remove the species to prevent it spreading
when managing and restoring habitats, be aware that climate change may make conditions suitable for different species, and that may have knock-on impacts on other species and processes in complex and dynamic ecosystems
use native plant and tree species to support the local food web and wildlife, but also support the use of new species and varieties where these enhance ecological function and resilience to pests, diseases, climate change and extreme weather
ensure diversity in age, species and structure of the habitat to help species adapt to climate-related pressures and/or disperse to new areas
increase connectivity between habitats to enable species to move in response to new climate pressures
raise awareness of species that might arrive in Dorset due to climate change or reintroduction projects to help people recognise them, understand why they have arrived and the potential benefits they might bring
maintain local geological sites in order to support geodiversity and species diversity
stop introduction or spread of invasive non-native species by increasing understanding of the risks and how they spread
raise awareness of which invasive or near-invasive species to avoid planting in gardens or community projects
follow guidance and regulations set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency
on former minerals and waste sites, restoration should prioritise nature recovery in accordance with planning authorities. Explore options to encourage longer-term management beyond the aftercare period

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