Conservationists and local volunteers are celebrating as Dane Valley Woods, an important green oasis nestled between a large housing estate and a railway line in Margate, has officially been designated as a Local Wildlife Site.
The designation recognises the site’s exceptional value for biodiversity, its importance to the local community, and its key role within the wider landscape. Listed in the Green Infrastructure Plan for Thanet District Council and recently designated as Local Green Space, Dane Valley Woods continues to grow in stature as a crucial natural refuge.
Managed by the dedicated volunteers of Dane Valley Woods, the site excludes the nearby allotments and playing field but fully encompasses the woodland area itself. This community woodland, established in 2003 with the support of Thanet District Council, was created on the grounds of a former landfill. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of community-led rewilding.
The site is a mosaic of habitats, newly planted native trees, scrub, and wildflower meadows. It provides excellent conditions for reptiles, butterflies, birds, and wildflowers. Notably, viviparous lizards (Zootoca vivipara) are regularly recorded throughout the site, highlighting its importance for local reptile populations.
Tree species thriving in Dane Valley Woods include English oak, hazel, hawthorn, silver birch, dogwood, rowan, and wild service tree, among others. Although tree growth has been slow in some areas due to poor soil quality, this has allowed open grassland and glades to flourish, enhancing the site’s biodiversity.
The rich grassland habitats support a variety of wildflowers, such as oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), and red bartsia (Odontites vernus). Management efforts have also helped create thriving conditions for butterflies and moths, with species like the Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Oak eggar moth (Lasiocampa quercus), and Spindle Smudge (Ypsolopha mucronella) recorded.
A Kent Wildlife Trust bird survey from 2017 identified 15 breeding bird species at the site, including the song thrush (Turdus philomelos), linnet (Carduelis cannabina), and dunnock (Prunella modularis) which are all species of conservation concern.
The designation was confirmed by the Kent Nature Partnership and Thanet District Council, marking what conservationists have called a significant "win for nature."
Dave Shenton, Local Wildlife Site Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust, commented: “The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, so this designation is not only a win for nature, but also testament to the hard work and dedication of the Dane Valley Woods Group. They have demonstrated the remarkable power of nature to heal when given the chance, and this example gives us reason for hope in the face of climate and biodiversity crises.”
As Thanet continues to face urban pressures, the success of Dane Valley Woods highlights the power of grassroots conservation in restoring and protecting vital green spaces for future generations.
Follow Dane Valley Woods Group on Facebook or visit their website.