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Ancient Stiperstones landscape welcomes rare wildlife as conservation area triples in size

Purple Stiperstones ridge

Shropshire Wildlife Trust with partners Natural England, Forestry England, The Linley Estate, Shropshire County Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, and Middle Marches Community Land Trust announce the declaration of Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve, more than three times the area of the original Stiperstones reserve.

Over one thousand hectares of nationally rare upland habitats have been secured for nature through the creation of England's new Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve. The expanded reserve, more than three times the area of the original Stiperstones reserve, brings together six partner organisations to safeguard precious heathland, ancient woodland, bogs and acidic grasslands on the edge of the English Welsh border.

The declaration creates one of England's most significant upland conservation areas, covering 1,562 hectares of diverse landscapes shaped by unique geology. The reserve combines existing safeguarded sites with over 1,100 hectares of additional partner-managed land, forming a unified sanctuary for threatened wildlife and rare plant species.

Five of Shropshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserves are included in the Stiperstones Landscape reserve; Earls & Pontesford Hill, The Hollies, Brook Vessons, Hope Valley, and Nipstone Rock.

The Stiperstones Landscape reserve forms part of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves, created to honour His Majesty King Charles III's Coronation and longstanding environmental work. This series represents the most significant expansion of England's National Nature Reserve network in a generation, with 25 new reserves planned by 2028.

The project directly supports the government's commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by safeguarding natural carbon stores and enhancing ecosystem services. The reserve will capture carbon, manage flood risk and improve water quality whilst providing vital habitat connectivity across fragmented landscapes.

Richard Grindle, Shropshire Wildlife Trust CEO said:

‘If we are to successfully combat the twin climate and ecological emergencies, then government, NGOs, and the private sector must unite to create wild areas that are bigger, better, and more joined-up. Shropshire Wildlife Trust has been working in the Stiperstones area for decades, restoring species and creating habitat for wildlife. We are thrilled to see several of our nature reserves included in this King’s Series National Nature Reserve where together with our partners we can meet these environmental crises head-on.’ 

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: 

"Enhancing and expanding our nature rich landscapes is one of the most critical actions we must take to achieve our stretching environmental targets; this landmark moment for nature recovery is the next step on that path. 

"Collaboration across this landscape will protect the upland heath and ancient woodland conserving rare species while also creating more opportunities for local people to experience the joy of nature firsthand"

Partners will develop a strategic management plan setting ambitious targets for nature recovery across all sites. The reserve acts as a core hub from which conservation benefits will extend into surrounding areas, supporting the government's target to protect 30% of England's land for nature by 2030.

Visitors can explore the reserve's diverse habitats and experience breathtaking views across the landscape through existing footpaths and bridleways, with the Bog Visitor Centre providing educational resources about the area's unique ecology. The reserve offers opportunities for scientific research, environmental education and outdoor recreation whilst protecting sensitive wildlife areas.

Rare wildlife including the wonderfully named bilberry bumblebee will receive enhanced protection through the creation of the expanded Stiperstones Landscape National Nature Reserve. The 1,562-hectare sanctuary preserves ancient quartzite tors steeped in Saxon legend, where Wild Edric and his fairy queen Godda are said to still gallop whenever England faces peril!

The bilberry bumblebee, with its distinctive orange-red tail, depends entirely on bilberry flowers for nectar and pollen. This fussy feeder has become an unlikely conservation celebrity, even inspiring its own wildlife trust blog as conservationists work to protect its specialist habitat across the reserve's diverse heathland mosaic.

View the public notice of the National Nature Reserve declaration

Notes

  • Forestry England, The Linley Estate, Shropshire County Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Middle Marches Community Land Trust and Natural England have joined forces to deliver the ambitious new reserve. Their collaboration establishes three new Approved Bodies (organisations approved by Natural England to hold and manage National Nature Reserves) and demonstrates how public, private and voluntary sectors can unite for nature recovery.
  • The declaration process involved extensive consultation with local communities, farmers and landowners to consider issues such as access, infrastructure and land management. The partnership approach ensures local knowledge informs conservation decisions whilst maintaining traditional land use practices where appropriate.
  • Stiperstones Landscape is the 11th NNR to be launched as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves (as above, noting the correct presentation of King’s Series).
  • There are 224 NNRs in England, covering a total area of over 116,000 hectares. 

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