Sites of Nature Conservation Value managed by Countrycare
In addition to the District’s nine Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s), Countrycare has historically managed several other sites of high nature conservation interest. These have been ‘adopted’ and managed by staff with the practical assistance of volunteers from the local community.
A further 12 sites are managed by Countrycare, some of which are also Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS). These sites have been identified for their special flora and fauna and have a county or regional wildlife value. In this District LoWS are considered when planning applications are submitted. The LoWS selection was made by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 2009-10. The Trust identified 222 sites in total.
Over the years, Countrycare has teamed up with several parish councils, landowners and other conservation organisations to manage a number of LoWS or other sites. Below is a list of the sites to which Countrycare has a long-term management interest:
- Bobbingworth Former Landfill Site, Bobbingworth
- Civic Offices Pond, Epping
- Tree Top Meadow, Epping
- Epping Green Millennium Garden, Epping Upland
- Willingale Road Community Orchard, Loughton
- Norton Heath Common, High Ongar
- Foster Street Burial Ground, North Weald
- Thornwood Common Nature Area, North Weald
- Ongar Community Orchard, Ongar
- Spring Ponds Wood, Ongar
- The Copse, Sheering
- Abbotts Wood, Waltham Abbey
- Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey