Kent Wildlife Trust : the largest active conservation charity in Kent

Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) are areas which are important for the conservation of wildlife in the administrative areas of Kent and Medway. They may support threatened habitats, such as chalk grassland or ancient woodland, or may be important for the wild plants or animals which are present.

In Kent, there are over 440 Local Wildlife Sites, covering a total area of over 27000 ha (67500 ac) (roughly 7% of the county). They range from a 0.13 ha (0.3 ac) churchyard important for its orchids, to grazing marsh sites of over 1000 ha (~2500 ac).  

In Kent, where Local Wildlife Sites were previously known as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs), the system has been running since the 1980s.

Why are LWS important

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) protect the very best wildlife areas in the UK, and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) protect areas which are important on a European scale.  However, these designations do not protect wildlife at a local level, and cannot ensure that the countryside as a whole is rich in wildlife.

Therefore, Local Wildlife Sites fill an important gap not covered by other designations. The importance of these sites is recognised in government policy: the 2005 Planning Policy Statement 9 says, ‘Regional and local sites of biodiversity and geological interest … have a fundamental role to play in meeting overall national biodiversity targets, contributing to the quality of life and the well being of the community and in supporting research and education’.