News
The Nature Reserve's Future
Today the management of the Nature Reserve passed from East Sussex County Council to Sussex Wildlife Trust, thus securing the future of this special place.
Latest Press release: click here
East Sussex County Council will be entering into formal discussions with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to explore the feasibility of the Trust taking on the County Council’s current responsibilities at Rye Harbour Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve was established in 1970, is currently the greatest biodiversity hotspot in the county with more than 150 nationally rare or endangered species recorded, and has more than 200,000 visitors per year The Nature Reserve is coordinated and administered by a Management Committee. A variety of bodies are represented, and include the landowners within the LNR and also key partners such as the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and the Environment Agency. At a recent management committee meeting a recommendation to enter into the above formal discussions was unanimously carried. This recommendation was proposed by Ann Moore, and seconded by Nicky Frith, Chair of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Tony Lloyd Chairman of Rye Harbour LNR management committee said: “These discussions are just the start of a formal process with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. If they progress to a stage where the Trust confirm they wish to take on the County Council’s current responsibilities at the Nature Reserve, there will be further consultation with the landowners and local interested parties. “The approval of the County Council’s Cabinet would also be required before any changes were made to the current management agreement. It is at times like this that the strength and support of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve have proven invaluable. The proposed change will not alter the role of the Friends. Without their continued support this nature reserve would not have become the very special place that we all enjoy and where many rare plants and animals have a secure future.” Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We wish to work with all members of the committee to ensure the long term future of the Nature Reserve and have been consulting with landowners, stakeholders and possible interested parties regarding the future management and funding of the reserve.” These discussions are part of a review of all the countryside sites that East Sussex County Council owns, and also those that are managed in partnership, to examine whether third parties may be better placed to manage County Council countryside sites.
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Notes.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust was influential leading up to the LNR designation in 1970, and took on the purchase of Castle Water in 1992 with substantial financial support from the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. As a partner in the Nature Reserve it sits on the Management Committee and Conservation Sub-committee and as a landowner is a signatory to the Management Agreement. With more than 26,500 members and 6,500 junior ‘Wildlife Watch’ members, SWT manages 3,800 acres of land, which includes some of the finest wild places in Sussex.
For more than 40 years Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has been a great place to discover coastal and wetland wildlife. There are five bird watching hides (all with some wheelchair access), a network of footpaths and an information centre opened by volunteers on most days. In summer, breeding birds include many species of terns, waders, ducks, and a spectacular display of specialised shingle plants such as Sea Pea and Sea Kale. In spring and autumn, there are a great range of migratory birds and more seaside plants in flower. In winter, there are great flocks of ducks, including Smew and waders with a good chance to see the elusive Bittern that lives in the reedbeds at Castle Water.
The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Management Agreement is between East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council, the Environment Agency, the Sussex Wildlife Trust and two private landowners:
• Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is made up of land owned by four parties: the Sussex Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and two private landowners
• The Reserve is managed by The County Council as a Nature Reserve
• The County Council maintains a Management Committee for the management of the reserve made up of members nominated by: the County Council, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Rother District Council, Sussex Ornithological Society, Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the Environment Agency, Icklesham Parish Council, Rye Town Council, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Association for Shooting & Conservation, and each landowner.
• The Management Committee prepare and update the Management Plan for the Reserve.
• The expense of management and maintenance of the Reserve is determined by the Management Committee and an estimate of income and expenditure approved by ESCC each year.
• The County Council, the District Council, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and the Environment Agency contribute toward this.