“You can’t put a price on nature. You can’t quantify the uplifting effects of a walk in the Peak District or the way your soul soars at the sight of a stormy Cornish cliff. Except, it turns out you can: it’s worth almost £5 trillion a year. Economists have calculated the mental health benefits of the world’s national parks and concluded that on this measure alone they provide services amounting to a significant proportion of global GDP. And that is before you consider all the

The following makes the case for Dorchester and its landscape to be included in the Dorset & East Devon National Park. The full report can be found HERE. Dorchester and the boundary of the proposed Dorset and East Devon National Park: why Dorchester and its landscape setting should be included within the proposed National Park. Executive Summary. 1. Should a National Park be designated, the Dorchester Civic Society wishes to see Dorchester and its surrounding landscape settin

The following summarises the case for the Dorset & East Devon National Park. “Dorset and E Devon is the outstanding candidate for National Park status” This view is widely supported and is based on: The outstanding quality of the environment and landscape which embraces the UNESCO World Heritage “Jurassic” Coast - the only World Heritage designation for the natural environment in England (that for the Lake District relates to local culture); Dorset contains much of what is le

Our latest newsletter includes an update on the Glover Review of Designated Landscapes (a great opportunity for Dorset), information on how a Dorset NP would work to benefit communities and also includes answers to some frequently asked questions. Click here to read the newsletter. #dorset #nationalpark #government #farming #newsletter #economy #environment #biodiversity

Dorset CPRE supports the designation of a Dorset National Park Getting out and about around Dorset's outstanding countryside and coast, and our towns and villages, is a tonic and a boost to our health and wellbeing, whatever the season or the weather – says Dorset CPRE. National research finds that having access to the countryside and green spaces is important for physical and mental health, and CPRE supports calls by the Rural Services Network and others for more sustainable

In the 1930s Cyril Diver led an ecological study on Studland Heath that set new standards in the science of ecology. In 2013/15 the National Trust revisited the site and the data through its largest and most ambitious Citizen Science project to date. This is their story… Click Here to download the article #casestudy #biodiversity #purbeck #nationalpark #environment #wildlife #dorset #marine

Poole Harbour is nestled in one of the most bio-diverse corners of the UK. Read about the exciting project to encourage ospreys to breed here. Click Here to download the case study. Image of an osprey in Poole Harbour; courtesy of Peter Moore #wildlife #casestudy #biodiversity #purbeck #nationalpark #environment

By Professor Michael Dower, CBE Last month’s edition of Dorset Life concluded that “almost irrespective of the detail, a Dorset National Park would be good for Dorset.” This has now become a live issue, following the announcement by Michael Gove that he has asked Julian Glover to lead a national review including the potential for new National Parks. This review, which I strongly welcome, offers Dorset the opportunity to complete unfinished business from 70 years ago… as I kno

The Times reported that a major study has shown that four out of the five most biodiverse areas in the country are in Dorset. A National Park would help conserve and enhance these areas and increase understanding and awareness on their very special qualities. Below is an excerpt from the article written by Jerome Starkey, The Times countryside correspondent. Isle of Purbeck revealed to be UK’s little square of loveliness Half a dozen sika deer bounded down the hill, past the