|
Chilworth
Conservation Area
Chilworth
Conservation Area (CCA) is a slice of nature at
its best. It was designated in 1989 when the
University of Southampton decided to promote
27-acres of the Chilworth estate as a conservation
resource. The area contains a wide range of
habitats, a result of the variety of historical uses
and the underlying geological diversity.
Without doubt, the
CCA is a valuable resource, which deserves to be
maintained and improved. With this in mind,
Southampton Science Park Ltd has now taken on the
role of estate management for the whole area. This
gives the company a major opportunity to show its
commitment by bringing in additional resources,
including local experts, conservation volunteers and
funding.
A Chilworth
Conservation Committee has been created and local
experts and volunteers have been recruited,
including Mike Fenner (grassland ecology), Marcus
Grace and David Billings (woodland ecology and
maintenance) and Val Welsh, a Chilworth resident and
consultant biologist. The company intends to
preserve the CCA for the benefit of tenants, local
residents and the University.
Download a pdf of the
Chilworth Conservation Area Leaflet:
Chilworth Conservation Area.pdf
Fungus Forays
and Insect Walks
Phil Budd, a local
expert on fungi has conducted several "Fungus
Forays" and an "Insect Walk" in the grounds of
Chilworth Manor, accompanied by a diverse mixture of
naturalists, science park tenants, local residents
and various children & dogs! As a result we have now
identified a total of 88 fungal species at Chilworth
making this site one of the most species-rich in the
whole of Hampshire.
Phil suspected that
Chilworth would be a good location for fungi due to
the diversity of habitats and the lack of
interference from agriculture. He was not
disappointed. Phil showed how to recognise various
species using colour, texture, smell and, for the
brave, taste. Phil's work has added significantly to
our knowledge of the wildlife value of the Chilworth
Conservation Area and will be invaluable in the
development of our programme of conservation
measures.
To find out more about
future "Fungus Forays" or "Insect Walks", please
contact us on 023 8076 7420.
|
