Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, has joined conservation officers from Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Ashdown Forest CEO Mark Pearson on an inspection walk around the Old Lodge nature reserve, to discuss the projects currently underway to protect its landscape, wildlife and historical features.
Sussex Wildlife Trust manage over 30 nature reserves across Sussex and help protect the rich natural heritage of the county. This includes several sites and projects in Sussex Weald, including the Old Lodge, on the Ashdown Forest. The Old Lodge is an open landscape of heather, grassland, gorse and Birch and Oak trees. Grazing lies at the heart of its conservation, so rare breed cattle, sheep, and Exmoor Ponies help to maintain a healthy environment on the Forest.
Nusrat previously visited Kiln Wood near Blackboys to learn about the natural flood management interventions that have been carried out in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust and the Environment Agency, and she continues working closely with Ashdown Forest CEO and Conservators.
Nusrat Ghani said: “Looking after our environment is one of the most important matters in Sussex Weald and it was great to meet with representatives from the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Ashdown Forest CEO to see the natural management interventions at Old Lodge nature reserve. I’m grateful to all the fantastic volunteers involved in this project and I’m pleased that we have so many success stories across the constituency, such as the Kiln Wood Natural Flood Management and the Eridge Stream habitat project, from the cooperation between local organisations. I will continue working with Sussex Wildlife Trust and Ashdown Forest CEO and Conservators on protecting and preserving this treasured piece of our countryside and enhancing its natural habitats.”
