Heathland conservation is a constant balancing act for owners
and land-managers between people and wildlife. Nearly a third of
Dorset's internationally important heathland is situated in the
urban areas of south east Dorset, with nearly half a million
people living nearby. These urban heaths experience particular
problems including: - Arson uncontrolled and deliberately set
fires destroy wildlife and habitat and put lives at risk -
Trampling of rare plants and animals - Erosion of vegetation and
the sandy heathland soil - Disturbance of ground-nesting birds
such as nightjars and woodlarks - Enrichment of the soil by dog
faeces - Fly-tipping of rubbish and garden refuse - Predation of
rare animals by domestic pets The aim of the Urban Heaths
Partnership is to promote positive behaviours on heathland and
conserve wildlife for future generations. Traditionally, heaths
were a cultural landscape maintained by human involvement. The
agricultural use of heathland changed suddenly about 50 years
ago as people no long