The Wye NNR is owned by Natural England, the public body charged with protecting and promoting enjoyment of the natural environment. To view a map of the land grazed by the WCF click here; we currently manage compartments 1-12 inc. Our first cattle, 6 British White heifers, arrived on 29 February 2008. We selected British Whites primarily due to the breeds ability to do well on the unimproved gras
sland of the NNR and to keep the scrub under control. The fact that the cattle are docile is also important, both for WCF volunteers and the many visitors to the NNR. We are gradually building up cattle numbers to match the carrying capacity of the NNR, with some of the local Sussex breed also being purchased. Several private landowners have asked WCF to graze their paddocks, so we have also started a flock of Poll Dorset/Dorset Horn sheep. With a building to operate from being secured in Autumn 2008, we have added chickens and pigs to the range of enterprises. We will continue to take on further land and buildings as suitable opportunities arise, to allow WCF to meet its key aims of local food production, training, volunteering and education.
