WILDLIFE SITES

These are areas identified and selected locally for their nature conservation value and include threatened habitats and species within a national, regional and local context, making them some of our most valuable urban and rural wildlife areas.

They vary in size and shape from ponds and copses to much larger areas - woodlands, heaths, wetlands and grasslands. Others are more linear and include roadside verges, hedgerows, rivers and streams.

Why are they important?

Wildlife Sites provide a web of refuges for most of the UK's fauna and flora and often encompass some of the most distinctive, varied and ancient features in our landscape. Some though, have a shorter history. Wood Lane Nature Reserve, for example, where the wetlands were created through industrial land restoration, or the roundabout near Tesco in Wellington, which has astonished passing motorists with its rich and marvellous displays of bee orchids; both these are of very recent origin.

Who designates them?

The decision to designate a Wildlife Site is taken by a panel of conservationists including a representative of Natural England, Shropshire County Council's ecologist and Shropshire Wildlife Trust staff. The designation is formally made and the landowner informed by the Wildlife Trust.