The Woodland Trust and National Trust have joined forces for the first time in their histories to purchase and restore 825 acres of ancient woodland on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.
The project will transform the northern fringes of this National Park in what is one of the largest ancient woodland restoration projects ever undertaken by the organisations.
Bordered by two National Trust properties (Castle Drogo and Steps Bridge), Fingle Woods attract tens of thousands of visitors each year who have been unable to enjoy much of this stunning woodland as many parts have no public access.
The partnership aims to change this by opening up the middle stretch of the 10km Teign valley for public access, as with all Woodland Trust sites, opening up to 45km of new footpaths that will be accessible from March 2014.
Fingle Woods has over 525 acres of damaged ancient woodland – the equivalent of 293 football pitches - currently planted with conifers, with small fragments of ancient woodland scattered within, home to kingfisher, otters, birds of prey and several native floral species including bluebells and wood anemone.
The organisations aim to restore the entire planted conifer areas back to native ancient woodland by clearing the conifers and allowing the native woodland to regenerate, increasing the habitat for species like pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler as well as deer and fritillary butterflies.
A £5m fundraising appeal has been launched to purchase the site and help meet the cost of restoration for 20 years. You can find out how to help at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/fingle-woods
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