Lyscombe

There were three key reasons for acquiring this land.

First, we need nature more than ever. Dorset Wildlife Trust and our partner wildlife trusts are calling for 30% of our land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030.  Making space for nature to become abundant will give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover, spread and thrive.

Second is tackling the climate crisis and contributing to our quality of life. Managing more land for nature and restoring natural processes increases the amount of carbon that can be held in healthy soils and woodlands. The creation of new wetlands can reduce the risk of flooding and reduce the nutrients flowing into our rivers and seas. 

Third, the visually stunning location of Lyscombe lends itself well to engaging people and communities, enabling people to play a role in addressing the climate and ecological crises, contributing to our goal of one in four people taking action for nature.  We will create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to learn about and enjoy nature and help to create a wildlife haven for everyone. 

This acquisition was made possible through funding from Natural England's National Nature Reserves programme, and planned nutrient mitigation credit scheme, alongside generous donations from Dorset Wildlife Trust’s members and supporters.

Whilst the primary interest of all the partners is to see the area managed for nature recovery, the more sustainable methods of land management at Lyscombe will also serve to reduce the levels of harmful nutrients entering Poole Harbour. Poole Harbour’s wildlife and water quality is suffering badly from an excess of nutrients coming down its waterways. These originate from both housing (via treated sewage which still contains high levels of nutrients) and significantly, from fertilisers and manure applied to farmed land. The high levels of these nutrients flowing into Poole Harbour mean that any new input, such as from new houses, has to be balanced by reductions in the same catchment and that is the aim of Natural England's Nutrient Neutrality Scheme.

By adopting a more sustainable form of land management, nutrients entering the top of the catchment at Lyscombe will be reduced both by removing inputs, and through natural recovery measures such as creating new wetland habitat that can capture nutrients.

One of our first priorities will be to assess the condition and survey the wildlife within the SSSI. With our considerable experience of managing nature reserves across Dorset, we will maintain and enhance the habitat using traditional conservation management techniques. Our aim is to establish Lyscombe as a national exemplar nature restoration initiative. It will demonstrate a pioneering approach to combining the management and enhancement of important heritage habitats with rewilding and natural regeneration techniques to transform the land into a wildlife-rich core area for nature recovery across the wider Dorset Downs landscape.

There are a number of Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings on the site which include ancient earthworks and field systems, barrows and a delightful ancient chapel, the chancel of which dates to the twelfth century. The barrows and earthworks will be an important consideration in managing the site. We will work with Historic England, Dorset Council and Dorset National Landscapes to ensure that they are all managed appropriately.

There is a small parking area at the main entrance to Lyscombe off Drake's Road - the postcode is DT2 7RF and and here is the what3words location. A number of public footpaths give access across the land and in particular, around the chalk bowl giving fine views across the Dorset countryside. Over time, we will consult and consider improvements to access and will be organising public events for the community and our members.