Bid to safeguard Darwin's landscape
The Woodland Trust has launched a campaign to safeguard a stunning historic ancient woodland by buying a nearby nine-hectare (22-acre) plot of grassland within the Darwin at Downe site, which the UK has put forward in its 2006 bid for World Heritage status.
Blackbush Shaw and neighbouring Twenty Acre Shaw are both within two miles of Charles Darwin’s former home Down House, near Bromley, Kent. The woods form part of the natural landscape from which the great scientist sought inspiration while he was forming his theory of evolution.
The Trust now has an opportunity to extend, buffer and safeguard Blackbush Shaw for generations to come. But we have less than two months to raise the £250,000 needed to buy and manage the plot and an urgent fundraising appeal has been launched.
Charles Darwin’s great, great grandson Randal Keynes OBE, is a trustee of The Charles Darwin Trust and has kindly agreed to be the Trust’s appeal patron.
He said: “Darwin loved these woods, their steep banks and open places. Adding the field will enable the Woodland Trust to restore the historic habitats and wildlife that he knew.”
Trust chief executive Sue Holden said: “These are two fabulous examples of ancient woodlands and given their proximity to Down House and relevance to Charles Darwin, the sites’ historic importance simply cannot be underestimated.
“I would urge anyone who believes in protecting our natural world and our heritage to help us safeguard this area for all.”
Blackbush Shaw and Twenty Acre Shaw are magical woods and sit in a beautiful location near Biggin Hill. Despite being right on London’s doorstep, they support a stunning array of flowers including primroses and rare orchids. The woods are also home to numerous veteran ash and beech trees. By buying the area next to Blackbush Shaw, the Trust would be able to ensure the land naturally regenerated and acquired some of the rich biodiversity of the neighbouring ancient woodland.
The Trust is working closely with a host of other bodies to help safeguard Darwin’s landscape. The bid for World Heritage Site status is also being backed by The Charles Darwin Trust, English Nature, English Heritage and Bromley Borough Council.
