A rise in illegal fly-tipping is damaging conservation efforts at ancient woodlands on the Isle of Wight, a wildlife charity has warned.
People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) says it has seen an increase in rubbish being left at Briddlesford Woods.
The woodlands is home to an abundance of wildlife, including endangered hazel dormice and red squirrels. The former has already seen populations decline by over 50% nationally since 2000.
Fly tipping at Lynn Common, Briddlesford Woods (PTES' nature reserve on the Isle of Wight (1). Credit PTES.
PTES, which has owned Briddlesford Woods since 1992, warns that fly-tipping at Lynn Common is damaging precious flora and fauna across the nature reserve.
Laura Bower, Conservation Officer at PTES, said:
“Briddlesford is a unique woodland; not only is it one of the few places in the UK where both hazel dormice and red squirrels (classified as Vulnerable and Endangered on the Red List for Britain’s Mammals earlier this year) can be found, but it’s also home to two rare species of bat, barbastelles (also listed as Vulnerable) and Bechstein’s.”
“Briddlesford is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area for Conservation, which gives it the highest legal protection. But sadly, this doesn’t prevent fly-tipping from happening. We’ve been working tirelessly over the last 20 years to maintain this special habitat so that local flora and fauna can flourish. Our conservation work will be undone if fly-tipping continues, so we are urging for this to stop, for waste to be disposed of correctly and for any incidents to be reported.”
“On top of the damage fly-tipping causes to our beautiful woodland, we also have to pay for the rubbish to be removed, which is a cost to the charity that should be spent on much-needed conservation.”
Hazel Doormouse are often seen at Lynn Common, Briddlesford Woods (PTES' nature reserve on the Isle of Wight (1). Credit PTES
The charity is calling for anyone who sees rubbish being dumped at Lynn Common or in any part of Briddlesford Woods to report the vehicle(s) involved to the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire Police (via 101) or to PTES directly via [email protected].
To find out more about Briddlesford Woods and the rare wildlife that calls the reserve home, visit www.ptes.org/nature-reserves.
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