The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has gone out to tender with a contract for a major 3 year project to improve the conservation status of Cornwall’s Goss Moor National Nature Reserve.

Defra is tendering on behalf of Natural England, which manages the of the 575-hectare wetland site - Natural England has been successful in a bid for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Located south of the A30 between the villages of St. Dennis and Roche, the Goss Moor’s diverse wetland habitats form the upper floodplains of the River Fal. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is designated as part of the EU's Natura 2000 network as a Special area of conservation (SAC).

The reserve is situated in a broad relatively flat, valley basin which forms the headwaters of the River Fal. The site contains areas of dry and wet heath, mire, fen and open water, and a diverse mix of wildlife habitats which are home to some of the country’s rarest species.  Previously used for surface mining, the site requires conservation to prevent further loss of habitat and wildlife.

Over a 3 year period the project is aiming to:

• re-naturalise the headwaters of the River Fal where historic artificial drains and canalised channels have damaged wetland habitats,
• implement sustainable management of invasive willow scrub creating open habitat and corridors connecting mosaics of wetland, wet grassland and wet woodland habitats,
• develop capability to deliver conservation grazing to enhance existing areas of open habitat and manage areas of habitat restored through willow scrub clearance, preventing scrub re-growth. This will also re-connect currently isolated patches of open habitat,
• provide practical conservation volunteering opportunities for volunteers and improved countryside access trails, including provision of a new access for all trail.

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 17/09/2019 – click here to access the tender documentation.