Classic support Cornwall Wildlife Trust volunteering on Upton Towans

Staff rolled up their sleeves to help protect one of the county's most important coastal habitats during a volunteering day at Upton Towans Nature Reserve at Hayle. 

Staff from Classic Cottages spent the day working with the team from Cornwall Wildlife Trust to remove invasive red valerian from the sand dune system at Upton Towans to help protect the delicate habitat and eco systems which support some of Cornwall’s rarest plants and wildlife. Whilst popular in cultivated gardens, red valerian has spread aggressively over the dunes, crowding out delicate native plants which are vital to the reserve’s unique ecology. Regular volunteer days help keep the species under control, protecting one of Cornwall’s most important sand dune habitats and allowing plants and wildlife to flourish.

As a Reserve Guardian for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Classic Cottages provides ongoing support to help with the care of its nature reserves.

Dominique Adams, Marketing and Communications Officer at Classic Cottages, said: "As a local Hayle-based business, we're proud to support Cornwall Wildlife Trust in protecting one of the area's most special landscapes at Upton Towans. Spending the day there gave our team a real appreciation of the work involved in caring for this remarkable habitat and the rare wildlife that depends on it. It was an enjoyable and rewarding day, and we're pleased to play a small part in helping look after it." 

Rowan Hartgroves, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: "Support from businesses like Classic Cottages is vital to the work we do. Financial support through our Reserve Guardians programme helps us care for some of Cornwall's most precious places, while volunteer days like this provide valuable hands-on help for our conservation teams. 

"Cornwall Wildlife Trust cares for more than 5,500 acres of land (around 2,300 hectares) and manages 59 nature reserves across the county. Looking after these special places is only possible thanks to the support of our members, volunteers and corporate partners, whose contribution helps us protect Cornwall's wildlife for future generations." 

Britain's coastal sand dunes are internationally important for wildlife but sadly are also among Europe's most threatened habitats. Upton Towans is also home to the rare silver-studded blue butterfly, which takes its name from the tiny reflective blue scales beneath its wings, and the internationally rare petalwort, a tiny liverwort often mistaken for moss, along with pyramidal orchids, and birds including skylarks, kestrels, stonechats and meadow pipits.  

To see how you can help with the valuable work Cornwall Wildlife Trust undertake, visit their website here.