SITA Trust - Making a difference at Upton Heath nature reserve

Over recent years DWT's Upton Heath nature reserve has undergone a transformation thanks to the generous support of the SITA Trust.

When DWT acquired Upton Heath in 1998 it was a badly neglected piece of heathland and also suffered from a variety of pressures resulting from its urban location.  Invasive plants, erosion, fly-tipping, motorcycling and arson were all reaping their toll on the wildlife and habitats found on Upton Heath.

Landfill Tax Credit Scheme funding from the SITA Trust has enabled DWT to employ two site wardens and to carry out a vast range of work to address the problems.  Huge areas of dense and scattered scrub and thousands of invasive pine saplings have been removed and the bracken which had threatened to engulf much of the heath has been brought under control.  In addition to the practical management undertaken many of the social problems have been tackled by developing partnerships with local community groups and establishing a regular presence on the ground.

As well as being an internationally important nature reserve Upton Heath is also a very important open space for thousands of local residents and DWT encourages people to enjoy this wonderful site in a responsible and sustainable way.  SITA Trust funding has also enabled us to make improvements to access facilities and to install information panels and signs.  These all contribute to increasing people's awareness of the value of Upton Heath for wildlife and help them to make a contribution to caring for the reserve.

Located as it is, directly adjacent to the SITA Beacon Hill landfill site, Upton Heath is an outstanding example of how money collected through Landfill Tax can make a real difference to the quality of the local environment

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