The Tamar Valley AONB was designated for the beauty of its landscape and as an exceptional wildlife area of international significance.
Much of this importance focuses on the estuary and its habitats as a major frost-free feeding area for wildfowl and wading birds in winter. But the geology, clean air and micro-climate also make the valley an important site for lichens and mosses.
Ancient woodland sites still clothe the steep valley sides, and remnants of heathland still persist on the granite ridge. Layers of history and human exploitation of the land and its minerals have left a legacy of unique habitats such as mine spoil, species-rich hedges, old market gardens and orchards each of which has its own characteristic wildlife.
Farming and market gardening have been the economic mainstays of the valley economy in the past but are now less and less viable in a fast changing global economy. At the height of the industry, the valley was covered with apple orchards, cherries, strawberries and daffodils which were produced not only for the area but for the rest of the UK.
Around 17,000 people live in the towns, villages and hamlets surrounding the Tamar Valley. The challenge is to evolve systems of working the land that will sustain farm families, supply good local food and other products and provide room for wildlife.
The Tamar Valley AONB can provide advice to land managers on looking after their hedges, orchards and woodlands. We can help obtain funding through Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Schemes. We can also help to put together projects to look for new ways to support farms and those who work the land.
The Tamar Valley AONB team’s work is guided by the AONB Management Plan. This plan looks at all the elements that make the area special and sets out how they’ll be looked after.