The Greensand Ridge Nature Improvement Area
At just over 27,300 hectares, the Greensand Ridge is an “island” of sandstone in surrounding clay vales, covering a significant part of Central Bedfordshire, along with small sections of Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.
Historically, the Greensand Ridge would have had extensive areas of heathland, as the sandy soils provide the right conditions for these. But only fragments of remain. This has had a dramatic impact on the ability of the Ridge to maintain sustainable populations of many of the characteristic heathland species.
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, the Greensand Trust and the RSPB, together with Central Bedfordshire Council, are working together to create a landscape scale ecological network for heathlands.
This involves promoting the recovery of existing sites through appropriate management and restoring heathland.
For further information, contact Jon Balaam