We are pleased to announce that a partnership led by wildlife conservation NGO, Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK  (ARG UK), with the Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the local volunteer-led Shropshire and Staffordshire amphibian and reptile group, SAS ARG, has been successful in securing funding from DEFRA’s ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)’ programme. The aim is to find out more about the status of the adder on Cannock Chase, and collectively develop a programme to help conserve one of our most iconic native animals.

During the first phase of the project, starting in the Spring of 2024, a survey and monitoring programme will be set up to collect and collate records for adders across Cannock Chase and its environs. We would be grateful for any historic records or other information that local residents or visitors to the area may have, that will allow us to better map the distribution of adders, and where possible target survey areas where little is known or there are gaps. If you would like to find out more, join the survey team or have any other comments please contact Dr Angela Julian, Coordinator, ARG UK on angela.julian@arguk.org.

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Cannock Chase offers some of the best off-road horse riding in the country. Furthermore, ‘equi-culture’ and horses play a prominent role in land management on and around the Chase. Local horse-owners and equine establishments are being encouraged to get involved in the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme. Practical action can provide numerous benefits to equine land managers and their horses. Planting species rich hedgerows offers opportunities for browsing and helps improve drainage; hedgerow trees offer both shelter and shade for horses. One successful FiPL applicant, Roo, has been planting new hedgerows and several copses on her fields near Brocton. Her horses and land are already reaping the benefits – the new hedgerows and fencing are helping Roo to carry out rotational grazing, periodically resting some of her land and gradually improving its condition and herbal diversity. The planting is also slowing down surface run off from rainfall and improving drainage, and wildlife such as song birds and pollinators are benefiting from new habitats and connectivity. Contact Karen Davies for more information.

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