County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are areas of land recognised as being at least county, sometimes national, importance for their nature conservation value; this is defined by the presence of important, distinctive and threatened habitats and species. In Cumbria we have some 1600+ sites found on both public and private land. They vary in shape and size and include a great variety of valuable semi-natural habitats such as ancient woodland, species-rich grasslands, wetlands, roadside verges and hedgerows.

The very best wildlife habitats in the county are likely to have been given statutory protection as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). County Wildlife Sites is a non-statutory designation that has been used to recognise other high quality wildlife habitats in each county; some sites may be of similar quality to SSSIs. County Wildlife Sites, therefore, play a vital role in the conservation of the UK’s natural heritage by providing essential wildlife refuges, stepping-stones, corridors and buffers linking and protecting other designated sites and open spaces both in towns and the countryside.

County Wildlife Sites are not protected by law, their survival depends on owners and managers being sympathetic to the needs of wildlife. Selection of areas as sites recognises this historical careful management by owners. Local Authorities as part of their planning function have a responsibility to take account of County Wildlife Sites alongside other material planning considerations. Given information about where these sites are, and why they are important, owners, planners and conservation bodies can work together to make informed decisions about the future of these sites. Available funding can then be targeted where it can be of most value in protecting biodiversity.

Further information about Cumbria’s CWS system is provided within the links below:

Selection procedure for CWS in Cumbria

Information for landowners

Information for environmental/ecological consultants

CWS and the Improved Local Biodiversity Indicator (NI197)