Surrey Wildlife Trust’s mission to improve and connect more habitats for wildlife in Surrey has received a boost thanks to the acquisition this autumn of 17 acres of land at Ashtead Rye Meadows alongside a generous donation for its ongoing management.

The land, acquired from forward-thinking landowner, Daphne Burnett, with a strong desire to deliver a permanent legacy for nature, comprises diverse terrain of mature trees, hedgerows, mixed scrub, ponds, meadows and footpaths. Species that could thrive here include Great Crested Newts, Grass Snakes, Spotted Flycatchers and Gudgeon – an attractive but increasingly scarce fish which until recently was often encountered in vast schools in many of our waterways.

A dedicated volunteer group, Friends of Ashtead Rye Meadows and Wetlands, has carried out a wide range of conservation activities on the site since 2010 – including seeding meadow areas with wildflowers such as Yellow Rattle, and improving the Rye Brook for nature by clearing overhanging vegetation and creating berms and meanders to slow the flow of the watercourse.  They can now be assured that their achievements, and any further work carried out by themselves or by the Trust, will have a permanent impact.

SWT Chief Executive Sarah Jane Chimbwandira says:

“The donation of this important site, with wider potential implications for habitat connectivity in the area, highlights the huge impact that generous supporters and committed local volunteers can have when they work with Surrey Wildlife Trust to safeguard wildlife in our county. Our mission to create a more secure future for native biodiversity and the health of our landscapes takes a major step forward today.”

The Trust’s Ecology Services team is now assessing the site’s condition in greater detail and will formulate a long-term management plan. Future projects could potentially include the introduction of conservation grazing and further improvements to the stream to promote flood management and increase biodiversity and water quality.

Find out more about the Friends of Ashtead Rye Meadows at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGwHmUloEH0