Living Landscapes
East Chilterns Chalk Initiative
Totternhoe Initiative
Scheme area: 200 hectares
Benefits include: Habitat creation, additional recreation and education opportunities
On the edge of Dunstable, close to the Chilterns in Bedfordshire, is a highly valuable landscape of chalk grassland, rich with significant wildlife. The area boasts three scarce orchids – the musk, man and frog orchids and important chalkland butterflies, such as the Duke of Burgundy, small blue and chalk hill blue.
This initiative aims to connect two chalk grassland Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with a further three Local Sites, to create a large, resilient habitat of 200 hectares, which will support and enhance the populations of key species.
With such close proximity to the Growth Area of Dunstable and Luton, the site is in an excellent position to provide recreational and educational enjoyment for local people. It is well provided with a network of green lanes, offering good access by foot, bicycle or on horseback, and includes a wealth of features – such as a hill fort, old quarries and a working stone pit.
To date, an additional 20 hectares of land have been purchased with the help of Growth Area funding, and the Trust is working with landowners on the improved management of privately owned land. The Higher Level Stewardship agri-environment scheme will play an important role in enabling sympathetic land management. Funds have also been raised by appeals to Trust members and the local community.
Click here to listen to Brian Eversham, Cheif Executive, explaining Living Landscapes and what it means for our three counties.
Click here for a map of the Living Landscape project areas.