Knighton Heath is set to be transformed thanks to a partnership between Devon Wildlife Trust and WBB Minerals. A 20-year lease has been signed, allowing significant improvements in the coming months. DWT's lease previously covered one year at a time, meaning only limited work could be carried out. Volunteers, staff and contractors have already put in hundreds of hours tackling a scrub problem which has been shading out rare heathland plants and turning some patches into woodland. Andy Bakere, DWT's nature reserve officer, said: 'The site is looking really good at the moment, thanks to the help from local volunteers. A lot of the work has helped to protect the areas of heath where the rare narrow headed ant lives so that has been particularly important for us to concentrate on.' New plans include adding more scrapes to attract dragonflies and other water-loving animals, and an extension of the areas managed by grazing which is an effective and natural way to manage the site. 'Our partnership with DWT continues to go from strength to strength,' said WBB resources director Gary Stringer. 'Facilitating a long-term lease was an important step forward in securing the appropriate ecological management necessary for this nationally- important lowland heath. Our pro-active management of sites such as Chudleigh Knighton and others throughout the UK is essential in protecting some spectacular and beautiful wildlife habitats.'
