Silecroft is a maritime heath approximately 4 hectares in size, owned and managed by The Lake District National Park Authority. The grassland site is so species-rich that it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Unfortunately about four fifths of the site has been overrun by gorse and willow scrub, threatening to eradicate the grassland that makes the area a SSSI.

Habitat Management

The gorse and willow scrub need managing. The aim of the heath management is to remove approximately 70% of the gorse/willow cover using brush cutters. The remaining stumps will be chemically treated to prevent re-growth. The cut vegetation will be burned in a special incinerator to prevent ash getting into the soil and adding to the nutrients. After cutting, grazing by ponies will help to prevent regeneration of the scrub.

Update - December 2007:

"Thanks for the funding provided so far by local businesses through the Tourism and Conservation Project. Work has started at Silecroft and we have completed the first phase. Contractors have been in and carried out five days of cutting the gorse and willow which is invading the SSSI. The cut gorse has been stump treated with herbicide to reduce the amount of regrowth. Volunteers have followed up the contractors and burned off most of the cut gorse and willow in an incinerator. This allows the ash to be removed from site, so it doesn’t enrich the soil and alter the ecology of the area. Further burning will be carried out through the winter. Ponies will be put into the area to graze it over the winter. This grazing will help to remove any future regeneration which survives the herbicide treatment.

We are still in need of funds for continuing gorse and willow control and interpretive signing. Further donations will allow us to continue the good work."

Phil Clague
Southern Area Ranger
Lake District National Park Authority

Businesses Supporting this Project

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