Dunsmore Living Landscape

Dunsmore Living Landscape is a precious slice of countryside from the outskirts of Coventry and Leamington to the ancient Fosse Way.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is leading a partnership of 12 organisations to enhance and reconnect a network of important wildlife habitats of woodland, hedgerows and grasslands, and to get people close to wildlife and connect to this special landscape.

The partnership has been active since 2005, developing and delivering new projects on the ground with volunteers and landowners, working to restore this ancient mosaic landscape to one rich in wildlife and accessible to all.

The partnership secured over £1 million of National Lottery Heritage Fund support in 2017 to deliver a major programme of projects, to be completed in summer 2022, with match funding from partners, landowners and the FCC Landfill credit scheme.  We have restored over 15 kilometres of hedgerows, released 77 dormice as part of a 5-year programme, commissioned sculptures including a Straight-tusked elephant and calf, created major new interpretation at the Discovery Centre, Coombe Abbey Park, installed 10 interpretation boards, improved access trails and restored the World War One Lime Memorial Avenue and 29th Division Monument on the A45. We have run over 100 training courses covering heritage skills and wildlife identification, and held 115 events including family days, walks, talks, and a Woodland Open Day. Four trainees have gained an accredited qualification in Environmental Conservation.

Our Vision is: By 2040 Dunsmore Living Landscape will be a climate resilient, thriving and valued landscape, rich in wildlife and accessible to all, delivering multiple benefits for wildlife and people as part of the national Nature Recovery Network.

We are securing funds for major new projects including ‘30 x 30 Step Change Nature Recovery’ with wildflower grasslands, pollinator corridors, local seed tree nurseries, and hedgerow restoration; ‘Back from the Brink’ species projects, and ‘Raising Sights’ skills development and traineeships. The partnership is creating a sense of ownership that will ensure the continuity of the Dunsmore Living Landscape.