The Dorset Countryside Ranger Service has recently replaced the heather in the LV Streetwise heathland display.

Through LV Streetwise pupils can learn to understand the importance of the heathland habitat. The heathland supports a variety of rare and endangered birds, reptiles and insects including the Dartford warbler, Nightjar, Sand lizard and Green tiger beetle. As much of the heathland habitat has now been destroyed it is important that children are taught to respect what is remaining of this environment. In particular, how fire can damage and destroy this wildlife habitat and its rare inhabitants. Heath fires can also threaten the lives and homes of people who live nearby.

Dorset Countryside Ranger Service cut the turves, as people would have done in the past under their turbary rights. In the past, people cut turves to burn on their home fires. By cutting these turves Dorset Countryside also helped the natural habitat by creating areas of open sandy soil in which rare reptiles like sand lizards can lay their eggs. Insects like burrowing wasps are also benefited by creating these new habitats.The cutting also maintains the natural cycle of young and old heather growing on the heathland as it has done for many years.

Every year, the Rangers transplant the heather from the heathland onto the display at LV Streetwise, which benefits both the heathland and LV Streetwise allowing them to continue educating pupils about the importance of this habitat.

Catherine Husher, from Queen Elizabeth’s School on work placement with the Eastern Area Rangers said ; “It is hard to imagine how bad a heathland fire can be when you are taught about it at school in a classroom environment. The LV Streetwise display really makes it come alive.”

For more information about how Dorset Countryside's Access and Rangers teams work in partnership with other organisations in the county to manage Dorset's beautiful landscape visit Dorset Countryside or telephone (01305) 221000.