Saving Biodiversity: The Essential Role of County Wildlife Sites

The Big Devon Meadows Count talk series 2025

  Saving Biodiversity: The Essential Role of County Wildlife Sites

County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are vital havens for biodiversity, supporting and connecting priority habitats and species across the landscape. They represent some of the most ecologically valuable sites outside of statutory designations such as National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Join Jack Rivers, Project Officer and Botanist from Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC), to explore the importance of County Wildlife Sites and the role they play in local conservation. As the organisation responsible for managing the CWS network in Devon, DBRC, like other Local Environmental Record Centres, collects and maintains vital wildlife data. This information underpins conservation efforts, helps protect sites, and strengthens our understanding of local ecosystems.

This talk will explore what defines a CWS, the process of identifying, surveying, and designating these sites, and what that means for those who manage them. It will also address common misconceptions about designation and its implications, helping landowners and conservationists understand their role in protecting these valuable spaces.

Perfect for anyone who cares about the management and conservation of important habitats, from meadows to woodlands and beyond, or for those simply looking to deepen their understanding of local nature conservation.

The talk is free but you’ll need to book to receive the link here

Photo: John Walters. Elephant hawk-moth and Greater Butterfly Orchid.