New 150 hectare nature reserve being created from old quarry in Devon

Huge wildlife haven to be created at Meeth

January 2013. A vast wildlife haven is to be created in Devon at the former Meeth Quarry, a 150 hectare site recently purchased by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Meeth Quarry is a former clay works located close to Hatherleigh within the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area and the North Devon Biosphere.

‘The site is a spectacular, recovering landscape, with vast areas of open water, wet grassland, stone quarry face and woodland' said Matt Boydell, Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Manager. ‘It incorporates six threatened wildlife habitats, supports 18 species of national importance and will provide a haven for a huge range of bird life, making it an excellent winter wildlife-watching destination for local communities ‘.

Open to public in the spring
There is currently no public access to the site, but the Quarry adjoins Devon Wildlife Trust's existing nature reserve at Ash Moor and is adjacent to the Tarka Trail, so the potential for public access and enjoyment is huge. Thanks in large part to the support of Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust is able to carry out essential infrastructure and access work and plans to open the Quarry to the public in the spring. Natural England funding is also supporting essential work to preserve and enhance the sites biodiversity and wildlife value.


Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/meeth-quarry.htm