HTAG Guildford - Pewley Down Conservation Volunteers Update April 05

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Pewley Down Conservation Volunteers Update April 05

The group Pewley Down Conservation Volunteers has now been in existence for two years and its second Annual General Meeting was held on 13 April 2005. At that meeting the group was complimented by Adam Owen, Trees and Countryside Manager for Guildford Borough Council, for being the most active and forward looking of all the volunteer conservation groups with which he regularly has worked.

Regular visitors to the Down will have noticed, recently, a huge change in the appearance to the southern, scarp, slope of the Down. Large areas of scrub have been removed and the vegetation has been much reduced in height.

Pewley Down was designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Significance in 1996 and is potential Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for chalk grassland. (SSSI is English Nature's highest designation for sites of nature conservation interest).

Guildford is unusual in having site of such high conservation value within easy reach of its town centre. This causes both opportunities and difficulties. Pewley Down Conservation Volunteers encourage people to use the Down while, at the same time, work to preserve and enhance those wildlife features that make the Down so special. The Volunteers also believe that the Down provides a valuable education resource and we work with local schools to teach children an appreciation of wild places and the importance of nature conservation.

To read the Dec 05 update click here.

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