Aug 19, 2022
People who are still using barbecues on open land have been branded “incredibly stupid” by one of the country’s leading wildfire advisors. A disposable barbecue was seized by conservationists on Thursday on heathland near Christchurch in Dorset. It...
Aug 16, 2022
The Bird and Recreation initiative (BARI) joined Lytchett Minster and Upton town council and the RSPB at Lytchett Bay to celebrate it becoming recognised as a local nature reserve. They were delighted to meet Mayor Pryor and some wonderful local councillors who...
Aug 16, 2022
Lin from Firewise had a fantastic day on Sunday at Westbourne Fire Station Open Day. She spoke to lots of families about Firewise and gave them information on how to reduce the risk from wildfires around their homes. Also attending was the Firewise K9 patrol mascot,...
Aug 12, 2022
A number of high street supermarkets have temporarily stopped selling disposable barbecues because of the heatwave. Among them are Morrisons, Waitrose, Aldi, Southern Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, which have all dropped the product during the current...
Aug 12, 2022
Our wardens Phil and Sally had a great time speaking to visitors at the Sika Trail car park in Wareham Forest as part of Heath Week. With the frequent visitors and holiday makers, it was a great opportunity to talk about our precious heaths here in Dorset along with...
Aug 11, 2022
The Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne met with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) staff at the Reptile Centre, Dorset for a reptile briefing during Heath Week. Sir Desmond is ARC’s MP smooth snake species champion and he was keen to find out about the work...
Jul 27, 2022
The Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP), Litter Free Dorset (LFD) and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) are working together to raise awareness of the risk of wildfires on heathland and forests during the soaring summer...
Jul 7, 2022
The wardens had a great session on Tuesday out on Tadnoll Heath with Years 1 & 2 from Milborne St Andrew First School. The children hunted for minibeasts and found loads of critters living in the heather and on the trees. The group were even treated to a lovely...
Jul 7, 2022
Our wardens were delighted to meet Lord Fellowes of West Stafford at the village fete last weekend and enjoyed telling him about the work we do. The UHP team had a great day and had fun talking to everyone about our wonderful Dorset heathlands. Many thanks to our...
Jun 9, 2022
We’re very excited to be preparing for this year’s Heath Week, which is running from 25 to 31 July. The team and our partners are bringing together a programme of fun and diverse events, for everyone to get involved in. Keep and eye on our events guide and...
May 24, 2022
Walking a dog on one of Dorset’s nature reserves is one of life’s pleasures that hundreds of people across the county enjoy on a regular basis. Visitors, however, might not be aware of the effect that dog mess left behind on the heathland has on plants and animal...
May 23, 2022
Unfortunately, Canford Heath was the scene of another devastating heath fire yesterday afternoon. Thanks to the swift action of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was brought under control and extinguished after two hours. Although it wasn’t...
