An appeal has been launched by Kent Wildlife Trust to protect an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Canterbury with high conservation value.
Covert Wood is a 26-hectare area of ancient woodland in the Elham Valley and has recently been put on the market for £475,000.
With over £100,000 already received towards the appeal, a further £362,500 is sought to secure this precious nature-rich habitat within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The site comprises a striking broadleaf woodland, quintessential of East Kent, alongside oak, beech, hornbeam and sweet chestnut. Visitors to the site will also find bluebells, wood anemones, bee and purple orchid and other key ancient woodland indicator species.
Because of this extremely special amalgamation of British woodland species, Covert Wood is classed as being of high conservation value.
Covert Wood offers a significant opportunity to connect up our fragmented woodland habitats, vital for species such as woodpeckers, nightingales and pine marten which require healthy woodland that they can move between unimpeded.
This year, the Trust are conducting social and ecological feasibility studies to determine whether the habitat in the South East is suitable for pine martens. Covert Wood sits within a wider forest complex, a short distance from Blean Woods, making it a suitable site to explore the return of the pine marten
Simon Bateman-Brown, Head of Land Management at Kent Wildlife Trust said: “Covert Wood is a rich ancient woodland and there is a risk that it could be sold off in smaller individual sections. If this happens, it would be impossible to manage for the benefit of nature.
“Under the management of the trust we can protect it indefinitely, running it as a nature reserve for wildlife. It is perfectly situated to help us connect the landscape for nature, something that our wildlife depleted country desperately needs.
“If the appeal is successful, we will examine the feasibility of using the area for species reintroductions, in particular the pine marten.
“Together we can create bigger, better and more connected landscapes which allow nature to flourish in every corner of our county.”
