Salcombe Ecology Network

For decades, conservation focused on protecting isolated pockets of nature. However, these "islands" often lead to genetic bottlenecks as wildlife remains trapped within invisible boundaries. The Salcombe Regis project represents a radical departure, treating the landscape as a single, cohesive system.

Key Restoration Strategies

The project utilises several innovative methods to "mesh" the landscape together:

• Strategic Connectivity: Success is measured by the degree of connectivity between the Jurassic Coast and inland hills rather than just the raw number of trees planted.

• Natural Regeneration: At a former Christmas tree plantation, the 2026 management plan opts for "passive" restoration. Instead of commercial timber, the area is evolving into a "messy" but ecologically rich mosaic of scrub and wildflowers.

• Landscape Architects (Cattle): At South Combe Farm, hardy cattle are grazed at low densities. Their movement creates "natural disturbance," breaking up aggressive grasses to allow rare wildflowers to flourish.

• The Value of "Untidiness": In Combe Head Wood, "standing dead wood" is intentionally preserved. These upright dead trees support specialised fungi and beetles, providing a vital "missing link" in the food chain.

The 2026 Management Snapshot

The network is currently in an active delivery phase with clear biological and climate targets.

Feature Intervention Ecological Goal

Hedgerows 300m reinstated Protected routes for species migration

Apex Predators Owl and Kestrel boxes Signalling a complete and connected food web

Soil Health Carbon sequestration testing Contributing to National Trust Net Zero 2030

Human Access New permissive paths Integrating public access without compromising nature