New Site of Special Scientific Interest confirmed

New Site of Special Scientific Interest confirmed - Natural England

West Penwith Moors and Downs (Halow ha GonyowPennwydh West) confirmed as latest SSSI.

Cornwall has a new Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with the confirmation today of protected status for West Penwith Moors and Downs.

The confirmation will mean that 3,044 hectares of some of the country’s wildest and most dramatic nature rich habitat is now protected.

Penwith Moors has a long history of agriculture and livestock grazing, with many of the 4,000-year-old field systems still used for their original purpose.

Natural England values these deep traditions that have created the nature-rich place that is now being celebrated by designation as an SSSI.

NE is committed to continuing to support and reward the nature-friendly farming that is essential to sustain West Penwith Moors and Downs.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said: “The designation of West Penwith Moors and Downs as a SSSI reflects how wildlife has flourished under a combination of generations of low-intensity farming activity and the naturally occurring habitats and species. We want to work in partnership with farmers to support them in delivering the best possible management to sustain nature in the SSSI and in the surrounding countryside alongside running their farm business.”