LIFE Nature projects 1 & 2

The conservation of Orfordness (LIFE94 NAT/UK/000850)

Having purchased the site in 1994, the National Trust looked towards the LIFE fund to help implement the actions needed to help restore the site. This work involved activities including re-establishing damaged or destroyed biotopes, re-introducing grazing regimes aimed at encouraging the return of Annex I species and controlling many damaging activities like hunting and the use of four wheel drive vehicles. The project has provided the basis for the long term conservation of the site.

Duration: 1st January 1995 to 1st March 1998.

Wild Ness : the conservation of Orford Ness, Phase 2 (LIFE97 NAT/UK/004245)

This second project has built upon the successes and results of the first project in an attempt to restore the site to a favourable conservation state. In specific terms, the project identified the factors suppressing the breeding of Annex I ground nesting birds and the development of rare shingle flora. It has acted upon these findings to improve grazing on saltmarsh, coastal grazing marsh and along the river wall. New lagoons have been created for breeding and feeding waders. Restoring damaged shingle surfaces* has also been attempted. The management plan has been updated and revised and provides a long term conservation/ restoration programme for the site.

Duration: 1st March 1997 to 1st April 2000

Comment: Taken from the Life web site http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/project/index.htm. A detailed description of the work can be found on the National Trust Orfordness web site @ http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orfordness. *The restoration work more specifically associated with shingle is included in the "Management and restoration of coastal vegetated shingle" Contract No. MAR 05-03-002 with English Nature, due for completion in April 2003.