Partnerships and connectors potential activities

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The potential activities below could be done by communities and individuals 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 solutions
Priority 11 Nature connection
Priority 12 Species abundance and diversity

Priority 1 Grasslands

Potential activities for grasslands include:

create more species-rich grassland habitats

Priority 2 Woodlands

Potential activities for woodlands include:

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
enhance and create hedgerows to ensure a diverse mix of tree and hedgerow plants and stagger the management cycle
coordinate landscape management of deer, grey squirrel and invasive species as outlined under priority 12

Priority 3 Heathlands

Potential activities for heathlands include:

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
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
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
reconnect rivers to their historic floodplain and re-establish dynamic wetland habitats
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)
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
coordinate landscape management of deer, grey squirrel and invasive species as outlined under priority 12
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
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:

create more nature-rich spaces in nurseries, schools, colleges and universities. For example, gardens or allotments for students to grow plants and food, and wildflower strips around sports fields
increase tree canopy cover by establishing and maintaining more trees in gardens, parks, and along streets, focusing on areas that have the lowest tree equity scores. For Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, follow the guiding principles outlined in BCP Urban Forest Strategy
explore opportunities to convert underused streets or neglected areas into small ‘pocket parks’
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
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 neighbours to take an integrated approach to managing cross-holding features ssuch as hedges, buffer strips, margins, water courses, slopes and geodiversity features
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

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

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
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
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 rainwater harvesting to capture rainwater and use this to water plants in residential and community spaces
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 successes and learning from trailblazing transformational landscape scale projects and enhance the collective efforts of farmers and landowners
support local farmers, landowners and land managers in their asks to government regarding support for sustainable farming or forestry practices
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
show how businesses can deliver nature recovery actions at different scales. For example, Sustainable Business Network, BCP Council Nature Pledge. Celebrate stories of businesses who success is based on working in harmony with a healthy natural environment
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
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
acquire long-term funding to support project development, capital investment and ongoing maintenance of interventions
raise awareness of new funding for nature recovery activities and increase support to access funding where needed, for example, farm advisors, community fund finder
provide a clear approach for monitoring and reporting, so everyone can understand what ‘good’ looks like for different habitat types and species, and how to report on their activities to help track progress
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
promote the opportunity for traditional livestock breed rearing and grazing to meet the demand for conservation grazing as part of habitat management
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
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
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
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
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
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

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