Nature & Heritage
The Severn Gorge Countryside Trust manages over half of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, overseeing 52 unique sites across 289 hectares and maintaining more than 25 kilometres of public footpaths.
Our mission is to carefully balance public access with the protection of the landscape, wildlife habitats, and historic cultural features. We work to conserve this iconic area’s natural beauty and rich heritage while ensuring it remains accessible and enjoyable for all visitors.
Through community engagement and educational initiatives, we strive to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the Trust’s vital conservation and management work within the Ironbridge Gorge.
Climate change
Following the Trust’s Climate Change Declaration in November 2019, we have been looking at ways to tackle the causes of climate change. For example, by reducing our own emissions and using renewable energy for our electricity supply, caring for the land that captures and stores carbon, exploring flood mitigation options and restoring wildlife habitats that are threatened.
Woodlands and trees
Step into the ancient woodlands of the Ironbridge Gorge, where centuries-old trees tell stories of the past, and every step unveils a world teeming with life. These incredible ecosystems, shaped over hundreds of years, are rich, complex, and completely irreplaceable.
Structures conservation
Many types of industry thrived here and the Trust looks after sixty historic structures from small retaining walls to brick arches, lime kilns to mine breathers and adit entrances. They are annually inspected by civil engineers. We maintain and repair the structures as and when it is needed. The Trust has spent over £350,000 in the last fifteen years conserving the industrial heritage of the Ironbridge Gorge.
Rewilding
The Trust has several small areas of land that are rewilding. These areas either have difficult access or are very small and need substantial amounts of resources to maintain. Decisions were taken on a site-by-site basis by the Trust’s Ecology Group to limit intervention.
Soay sheep
The Trust has a flock of rare breed Soay sheep to help us manage our meadows and grasslands. A hardy breed of sheep from the Scottish Isle of Soay, they act as lawnmowers and do an important job on our sites in the Gorge.
Meadows
Once a familiar sight across Britain, hay meadows are now rare treasures, found only in small pockets of grassland. These traditional meadows, bursting with life, are at their peak in June and early July, when they come alive with colourful wildflowers and the hum of pollinators.
