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There are around 50 nature reserves in Kent, 12 of which
are national nature reserves and 37 of which are local nature
reserves. They are managed by
Natural
England (link opens in a new window) and by the
Kent
Wildlife Trust (link opens in a new window).
These nature reserves help to preserve the diverse species of
plants and animals to be found in Kent, and the habitats in which
they live.
The habitats which are preserved include chalk downlands,
wetlands, woodlands, marshes and bogs, so effectively encompass the
range of habitats present in Kent.
By preserving and monitoring these diverse habitats, the
indigenous species found in these environments will also be
conserved.
National and local nature reserves
Local nature reserves are places with wildlife or geological
features that are of special interest locally.
They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about
nature or simply to enjoy it.
National nature reserves are places which have been designated
as "nationally important".
They are carefully managed to protect the most important areas
of wildlife habitat and geological formations in Britain, and are
places for scientific research.
This does not mean that people cannot visit them, it means that
when we visit we must be careful not to damage the wildlife of
these fragile places.
Visiting Kent's nature reserves
Nature reserves allow us to access and experience these features
of our wildlife, while at the same time preserving them in their
natural environment for future generations to enjoy.
For more information about the nature reserves in Kent and the
visitor centres that you can visit in your area, visit the
Kent
Wildlife Trust website (link opens in a new window) or visit
the nature on
the map website (link opens in a new window) run by Natural
England which has interactive maps of where nature reserves can be
found. |