Caring for Cannock Chase
We are all responsible for keeping Cannock Chase special and everyone can make a difference.
You can help to protect Cannock Chase by:
• Following the Cannock Chase Code
• Supporting the National Landscape partners and other organisations that look after Cannock Chase
• Using local produce and supporting local businesses
The Cannock Chase code:
The Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership, SAC Partnership, public and charitable landowners, emergency services and local authorities are calling on local communities and visitors to help care for Cannock Chase by following a new Code.
The Cannock Chase Code is free to use and can be downloaded.
Living, Breathing Cannock Chase National Landscape
At just 26 square miles, Cannock Chase is mainland England’s smallest National Landscapes. It is also hugely popular, with over 2.5 million visitors annually coming to enjoy its open spaces for relaxation and outdoor recreation. Local environmental group ‘ Sustainability Matters – Stafford’, has teamed up with naturalist and broadcaster Mike Dilger to prepare this short film highlighting the ongoing challenge to balance the need to protect Cannock Chase and keep it special with the demands for recreation.
Care for Nightjar and other ground nesting birds
Please be aware that from March to August the Nightjar and other ground nesting birds are breeding.
Please keep dogs on leads during this time and stick to footpaths.
Cycling, particularly at night with lights, on forest roads and tracks can be a risk to Nightjar. They rest and forage along forest roads and tracks. The use of powerful lights to illuminate forest roads and tracks could dazzle the birds, increasing the risk of the bird being run over.
Remember electric bikes are quiet, the birds will not hear you coming.
Please see West Midland Bird Club guide to ethical bird photography.
Adder Conservation Project on Cannock Chase
Long term monitoring programmes show that the adder (Vipera berus) is declining rapidly across many parts of the UK, and faces local extinction in many counties. This pattern of declines is mirrored on Cannock Chase where, despite being widely considered to be a historic ‘adder stronghold’, there is evidence to suggest that populations may be vulnerable.
Many land managers are working hard to support wildlife on their sites, but to decisively reverse adder declines we need to act at the landscape level. We need to conserve adders through habitat improvement and by increasing connectivity.
We are pleased to be able to recruit many local land owners to the project including: Beau Desert Golf Club, Cannock Chase District Council, Cemex UK, New Hayes Farm, Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and The National Trust (Shugborough Estate). The project is also supported by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Forestry England and Lichfield District Council.
The project started in Spring 2024 with surveying and modelling through site work, research and historic records.
The adder conservation project has moved forward at a pace thanks to the enthusiasm of ARG UK, local volunteers from the Birmingham & Black Country and Shropshire & Staffordshire ARG groups, and local land managers and partners.
Over just two days in September and October, 11 adders and 61 common lizards were found by the team, soaking up the last few rays of sunshine ahead of their long winters’ hibernation. Excitingly, these included newly born adders, demonstrating the importance of these locations for their summer feeding and birthing spots. Habitat work continued over the winter months to benefit reptiles, including on the heathland around the German War Cemetery, where volunteers are creating habitat features including banks and hibernation sites for reptiles in partnership with countryside rangers.
The vulnerable fragmented adder populations found across the landscape to the east of Hazelslade NNR and Castle Ring Ancient Monument are also being connected with support from land managers around the area, to optimise conditions for reptiles, and enable healthy populations to thrive.
At the National Trust Shugborough Estate, there is another programme of sensitive management for bracken and bare ground creation, to benefit: amphibians and reptiles, small mammals, ground-nesting birds and invertebrates led by the National Trust team with support from the volunteers.
Thanks to all partners including: Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire County Council, Forestry England, the National Trust Shugborough Estate and the Mine Remediation Authority.
For more information on ARG UK please see their website here.