The first year of the five-year G7 Legacy Project for Nature Recovery concludes in June 2022, and funding has been obtained for additional innovative new projects as well as to advance Natural England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and other partners’ vision to continue improving Cornwall.
The G7 Legacy Project aims to improve water quality, sequester carbon, conserve and possibly reintroduce endangered species while reuniting habitats and ecosystems throughout mid-Cornwall.
George Eustice, the environment secretary, said:
A suitable legacy of our G7 presidency is the completion of 26 initiatives in Cornwall to promote natural recovery.
At Goss Moor and Woodland Valley Farm, we have already expanded access to green places and restored rare species’ habitats.
With initiatives like woodland restoration and fighting invasive species, Cornwall will continue to set the standard for protecting nature in the upcoming year.
The scale of the projects can range from a few square feet to thousands of hectares, but they are all focused on enhancing a Cornwall location. Highlights consist of:
Imerys, which has 10,000 acres of land in Cornwall and collects china clay from the earth, has recovered acid grassland, enhanced and restored rare heathland areas, and implemented conservation grazing. In year 2, habitat creation and nature recovery continue.
Wheelchair users now have better access to wildlife at Woodland Valley Farm, where a recycled-material boardwalk offers sight of the Cornwall Beaver Project.
The first beavers to be released in Cornwall in more than 400 years occurred here five years ago.
In the past, Britain and Ireland had large populations of Marsh Fritillaries.
It is currently in danger throughout Europe, not just in the UK. Luxulyan Valley, Molinnis Nature Reserve, and Site of Special Scientific Interest have all undergone improvements that will help the critically endangered willow tit.
Wesley Smyth, Area Manager of Natural England, said:
The G7 conference was an ambitious event so it is only right that the legacy be equally ambitious and create a lasting legacy for Cornwall.
The variety of projects means there is something for everyone, from investing in people like apprentices to advisors, investing in better access to nature through improved nature trails and car parks to investing in recovery and habitat recreation to bring vulnerable species back from the brink.
The legacy project is now entering its second year and will continue developing mid- and long-term projects as well as creating news ones like:
- Restoring 6.5 hectares as part of the Bokiddick wet woodland restoration scheme by connecting a stream to the floodplain plus repairing a 1 kilometre trail upstream of the Luxulyan Valley.
- Improving access and management of invasive species at Par Sands with Cornwall Council.
- Carrying out baseline surveys to check the status of blue carbon sources like seagrass, algae and other underwater plants.
The G7 Legacy Project is also one of Natural England’s Natural Recovery Projects, which promote nature recovery at a landscape scale while assisting in the fight against biodiversity loss, addressing climate change, and enhancing general well-being.
440,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be absorbed through the transformation of 10,000 hectares of land as part of the G7 Legacy Project, which will also result in better water quality and decreased flood risk. The project’s ultimate goal is to recover more than 21,000 hectares of land for nature in mid-Cornwall.