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  WORK STARTS ON DRAGON LAND
  Press Release Number 071 25 February 1997
 
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An area of forest on the edge of Horsham famous for its dragon legends is to be improved for wildlife.

West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council will be funding work to clear young pine trees from parts of St Leonard's Forest to enable heathland and grassland habitats to develop. The area, which is managed by the Forestry Commission, will provide a habitat for butterflies and other insects, birds and plants.

The forest is known as the 'dragon land' because according to legend, St Leonard slayed a dragon there in the 6th Century.

The work started in February and is expected to be completed at the beginning of March. Management of the area will continue with the help of the local community after this work is completed. An ecological survey has been initiated which will monitor the effect of the management of the plants and animals that live in the area.

The Silver Studded Blue Butterfly and the Nightjar, a typical heathland bird, are species that will benefit from the work.

Peter Currell from West Sussex County Council's Countryside Management Unit, said: "This is an important partnership. I hope that it will influence and guide other landowners to adopt this integrated approach to forestry. This is of particular importance on the High Weald of West Sussex where little of the original heathland habitat remains. Most of these small areas are isolated from each other, which can cause problems for species which are less mobile, the Silver Studded Blue for instance."

Norman Day of the Forestry Commission, said: "We will plan felling and replanting to maintain open areas to provide a mosaic heathland habitat for many of the less common species which live in the forest. This work is an important step to greatly increase the conservation value of the forest."

Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee at Horsham District Council, Julie Stainton, said: "This Council is pleased to support this innovative approach to restore heathland habitat and wildlife in St Leonard's Forest."