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The nature reserve at Elvetham Heath is an important
part of the newly established community and is managed
by Hart's Countryside Service. The reserve opened to the
public in October 2002 and was then declared a 'Local
Nature Reserve' in the summer of 2003. It joins a
network of more than 800 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
across the country. LNRs encourage community
participation and give people the opportunity to have
easy and direct contact with the nature that is right on
their doorstep.
The reserve,
which is 19.5 hectares (48 acres) in size, is a heathland
restoration project. To create the reserve, land that was
previously forestry plantation was partially cleared, pathways
put down, boardwalks built over wet areas and fencing erected.
Hart Countryside Service is trying to encourage the reserve to
revert back to its previous condition as an area of wet and
humid heathland through traditional habitat management
techniques. Not only is heathland the historic habitat of the
area, but it is also one of the world's rarest habitats and an
important place for wildlife.
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