One of the biggest nature reserves in the country is to be officially opened here in Hastings.
Hastings Country Park is the largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) to be declared in the last 20 years.
The Council has worked closely with English Nature to meet its requirements and was congratulated for reversing the decline in farmland birds and keeping people updated on the work. The official opening ceremony will take place on 15 July with Professor David McDonald from English Nature.
Hastings Country Park LNR attracts upwards of half a million visitors each year and is rich in wildlife. Its breathtaking views, stretching to Beachy Head in the west to Cap Gris-Nez in France, have inspired everyone from children on educational visits to landscape artists such as JMW Turner.
Most of Hastings Country Park is part of the Hastings Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest. This area is of international importance because of the fossils found in the sands and clays that make up the cliffs. It is one of the few sites in the UK where dinosaur bones and footprints can be found in the rock. The site is also protected as a Special Area of Conservation. Hastings Country Park LNR is famous for its wildlife all year round. In winter, huge flocks of birds can be seen feeding on the farmland, while spring and autumn is an excellent time to witness spectacular bird migration. There is a diverse array of insects too, with many spiders and insects found at only a handful of other sites along the coast.
Man-made features also form an important part of the landscape with the remains of an Iron Age cliff castle sited on the East Hill.
Councillor Peter Pragnell, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said:
"We are committed to managing this fantastic asset and maintaining the unique ecological, geological and archaeological sites. We want to improve access too, so as many people as possible in our community can enjoy visiting and learning from new information boards and a new visitor centre."
"Now that Hastings Country Park has been declared an LNR it will allow us to get the best from this amazing and popular attraction. It is the jewel in the crown of our nature reserves in the town. The Council has committed to major restoration of this area and is now seeing the benefits for wildlife and people. This is the latest LNR to be declared in the town, putting our wonderful natural environment at the heart of our environmental regeneration."
Everyone is welcome to help mark this special day and there will be lots to do with mask making, bug hunts and health walks organised for between 1pm and 5pm.
For more information about Hastings Country Park LNR please check out the wildhastings website www.wildhastings.org.uk
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This page last updated: 18/07/2006