Plans announced for largest-ever nature recovery project in Cornwall

An ambitious plan to create the largest-ever nature recovery scheme in Cornwall has been announced.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) has launched a fundraising appeal to help with costs for the project at Helman Tor Nature Reserve. The money will be used towards buying specialised monitoring equipment, expertise, improved public access and some large herbivores.

Yellowhammer is found at Helman Tor (Nigel Cheetham).

CWT hopes to give nature the space to regenerate naturally. CWT's Head of Conservation, Cheryl Marriott, said: "Rewilding can lead to rapid positive results, with species returning and thriving. It could play an important role in Cornwall on sites like Helman Tor, complemented by the hard work of farmers in the wider landscape producing our food in even more regenerative ways.

"We have made Helman Tor bigger thanks to generous donations, now we need to make it better. We hope that the people of Cornwall will come together to help us achieve our bold ambition."

CWT says the plans will play a major part in getting Cornwall on track to achieve the target, set worldwide, of protecting 30% of land, rivers and seas for nature by 2030.

At some 283-ha spread across five sites, Helman Tor is the largest of CWT's reserves.