Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Friends Area
  • Vacancies
Countryside Regeneration Trust
Become a Friend Donate today
  • Twitter
Menu
  • What We Do
    • How We Work
    • Trustees
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Work
      • Regenerative Farming & CRT
      • Environmental Monitoring
      • Protecting Wildlife
      • Natural Heritage Regeneration
      • Educating the Community
    • History
  • Support the CRT
    • Donate
      • Nature Appeals
      • Legacy Donations
      • Donate in Memory
      • Fundraise for CRT
    • Twelve Gifts of Christmas
    • Volunteer
      • Corporate Volunteering
    • Become a CRT Friend
    • Renew your Friendship
    • CRT Shop
    • The Buzz Cafe
  • Wildlife & Farms
    • Pierrepont Farm Tenancy
    • Our Properties
      • Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground
    • Stay with us
    • Our Community Businesses
    • Guided Walks and Talks
    • Wildlife on our Properties
  • News & Blogs
    • News
    • Wildlife Blog
    • Volunteer Blog
    • The Lark
  • Events
    • CRT Events
    • Online Talks
    • Guided Walks and Talks
  • Mosaic Learning
    • Mosaic Get Outdoors
    • Mosaic Arts and Crafts
    • Mosaic Teacher Resources
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Friends Area
    • Vacancies
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Natural Heritage Regeneration

Natural Heritage Regeneration

The UK once held an abundance of native species, but over time they were wiped out due to human intervention.

Native species and rare breeds are vitally important to CRT. We focus on creating environments where nature and wildlife can thrive, through breeding programmes and recovery initiatives we are being a force for change.

In 2021 we were delighted to report that the rare orchard tooth fungus fruited at Awnell’s Farm, Herefordshire. The fungus, which only grows on old apple trees near the end of their life, is a ‘vulnerable’ UKBAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) species that is in decline across the UK. It is thriving at Awnells Farm because the apple trees which are within a traditional cider orchard are allowed to grow old and their deadwood is retained. This is in contrast to more intensive practices where trees are frequently replaced. 

At Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset, we were proud to report the discovery of the rare Coprinellus heptemerus or dung inkcap, aptly named due to its growing from animal dung. Mark Pike, Chairman of the Dorset Fungus Group said: "The very rare Coprinellus heptemerus has only 13 records for the whole of the UK, possibly because it is so small and only lasts a very short while. It is not unique to just sheep poo, the few others that have been found were also on deer, cow and rabbit poo. Brilliant find!". This incredible find shows the variety of biodiversity flourishing on Bere Marsh Farm.

Could you help us achieve our vision?

Donate Today    Be a Friend of the Countryside     Volunteer for the CRT

Published: 13th April, 2022

Updated: 17th March, 2023

Author: Becca Cassidy

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Life saving kit for community

    Life saving kit for community

    A defibrillator and the actions of people nearby can make a life-saving difference during a sudden cardiac arrest. CRT supporter Nigel knows this all too well when his son collapsed last year and his life was saved.

  • Tools empower people

    Tools empower people

    Volunteers play a vitally important role by helping us to improve habitats to support a greater variety and abundance of wildlife on our farms. But we need to equip our inspiring volunteer teams to be able to go out into the fields and woods and make a difference.

  • Willows are a cut above

    Willows are a cut above

    Not only beautiful, but willows are also immensely useful both to wildlife and people. Conservation Officer Vince Lea tells how the trees benefit Lark Rise Farm and the landscape and community around it. Read on to find out how willow is a productive use of floodplains and supports a complex ecosystem.

  • Winter feeding makes the difference

    Winter feeding makes the difference

    Farmland bird remain among the most threatened species in this country and their decline is nothing short of cataclysmic. Intensive agriculture has contributed to habitat loss, but at Lark Rise in Cambridgeshire our nature-friendly approach to farming and supplementary feeding over winter have helped ensure we buck many national statistics for farmland birds.

Most read

  • School trips on the farm

    School trips on the farm

  • Volunteer with the CRT

    Volunteer with the CRT

    Would you like to help wildlife and do your bit to create a landscape bursting with life? To enjoy quiet time connecting with nature to benefit your wellbeing, or to get stuck into exciting conservation projects with a friendly team? To learn new skills or develop existing ones? Whatever motivates you to consider volunteering, we’d love to have you in our team.

  • What We Do

    What We Do

    The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is a champion of biodiversity, pioneering a living, working countryside through the regeneration of farming landscapes and woodlands for a brighter and cohesive future for all.

  • Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

    Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

    The UK has 6 native reptile species including the curious slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). Although serpent-like in appearance, slow-worms are in fact limbless lizards and an amazing example of de-evolution.

  • Who we are & how we work

    Who we are & how we work

  • Conservation Volunteer

    Conservation Volunteer

    This is your chance to get 'down and dirty' to help CRT improve the habitats and environment on our farms, with a wide range of conservation projects and initiatives.

  • Robin Page

    Robin Page

    Co-Founder

  • David Mills MBE

    David Mills MBE

    Trustee

  • Wildlife & Farms

    Wildlife & Farms

    To achieve our vision of a living, working countryside we have purchased 18 sites across the UK, each with their own unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

  • Bere Marsh Farm

    Bere Marsh Farm

    Mixed farmland, Dorset


Stay in touch

Be the first to know about news, events and activities by signing up to our mailing list today.

Sign up to get the CRT Newsletter 

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Be a Friend of the countryside. Support the CRT

The CRT relies on our Friends, donors, sponsors, and visitors to help us protect, promote, and regenerate our land and all life on it.

Please select a donation amount (required)
Donate

  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Keeping our staff and volunteers safe
  • Vacancies
Connect
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

01223 651215

(Phone lines are open Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm)

Affiliations
 

The Countryside Regeneration Trust, 12 Bennell Court, West Street, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7EN

©️ 2021 Countryside Regeneration Trust. All Rights Reserved. A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 07320026. Registered as a Charity No. 1142122

Manage Cookie Preferences