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The HEATH Project

Our heathland landscapes are of great ecological, economic, historic and cultural importance but they are in long-term decline. Since 1800 there has been a 90% loss of heathland in North West Europe, replaced by intensive farmland, plantation forests and building development. What remains is fragmented, often neglected, and suffering from scrub and bracken encroachment and general mis-use.

With partners in Holland, France, Wales, and England The HEATH (Heathland, Environment, Agriculture, Tourism, Heritage) Project aims to reverse some of this decline. Funded through Interreg and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project is reconnecting sites, advocating good land management techniques, encouraging local community involvement and promoting heathlands as a valuable resource. More

Project News

Picture of Project Site coastline

Project Sites

The HEATH Project is working in a number of
sub regional areas in countries across North West Europe.


Project Sites Preview

The project brings together experiences from a wide range of partners responsible for a variety of heathland sites. Specifically, sites can be found in the following regions:
  • Brittany (France)
  • Normandy (France)
  • Cornwall (England)
  • Pembrokeshire (Wales)
  • Hoge Veluwe National Park. (NL)
Picture of Project Site flora

What is Heathland

Lowland heath is primarily found in North West Europe, from Norway south to Portugal and from Eire east to Poland.

What is Heathland Preview

Heathland is a generally open, dynamic landscape that develops on impoverished, usually acidic soils and supports a range of plant communities. This includes:
  • Heathers (Calluna and Erica)
  • Acid grasses (eg, Festuca and Agrostis)
  • Gorse (Ulex spp)

Project Partners

English Nature Logo and Link Symel logo and link Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique Logo and Link Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe Logo and Link Conservatoire du littoral Logo and Link Bretagne Vivante  Logo and Link Alterra Logo and Link

Project Supported by

Logo Logo Heritage Lottery Fund Logo and Link
Integralvision Web Design Exeter, Devon