Lydden Temple Ewell is situated on the outskirts of Dover. The sweeping steep slopes of the reserve are home to ancient semi-natural chalk grasslands, which support an abundance of insects, land snails, orchids and birds. The reserve is an oasis for Kent’s butterflies, with over 20 butterfly species having been recorded in recent years.
Kent is fortunate to boast 5% of the UK’s chalk grassland, a habitat of international importance to nature. This rich habitat is now very rare and fragmented, largely due to changes in traditional agricultural practices which historically ensured that grasslands were grazed at a low intensity. When managed in a wildlife-friendly manner, chalk grassland can host as many as 40 plant species per square metre. Many of the plants and animals that occur within these grasslands are endemic to them, meaning that the loss of this habitat has resulted in the decline of a concerning number of specialist species. To lose Britain’s chalk grasslands is to lose a whole host of plants and animals that simply cannot survive elsewhere.
Become a champion for chalk grassland
By sponsoring a quarter acre or more of Lydden Temple Ewell, you can become a champion for chalk grassland and every species that relies on its survival.
