If you have parked up at Blackgang Viewpoint in the last week, you’ll have seen part of the site has been cleared.
Mistaken by some as the Isle of Wight council clearing the site to sell on for housing, the work is actually being carried out by countryside management charity, Gift to Nature.
Gift to Nature
Gift to Nature are passionate about the Isle of Wight’s wildlife, countryside and open spaces. They manage many conservation sites across the Island and look after special habitats and species.
The work that is being carried out at Blackgang Viewpoint is part of their ongoing mission to bring the sites they manage to their full potential.
Removing non-native invasive species
A spokesperson for Gift to Nature said,
“With thanks to Natural England for their direction, support from Chale Parish Council and funding from the Postcode Society Trust, we are able to start work on enhancing the ecological features by exposing more of the rock face and removing non-native invasive species.
“The plan is to open up the area at the back of the site to create a bigger picnic space. There will be improved accessibility, new interpretation of the site’s special features and location and cycling and walking guides, extra picnic benches and a new stone installation – the ‘Blackgang Cairn’ created by local sculptor, Glenn Martin to acknowledge the sites Jurassic coastline connection.”
Find out more
Work will be carried out throughout the next few months, in this seasonally quieter time, in order to minimise disruption to the ecology of the site.
If you are passing feel free to say hello to the team on site and if you would like any more information on this excellent project, get in touch with Gift to Nature.
