Pony power brought in to support conservation work at Northumberland nature reserve

Hope and Eagle will help with a conservation grazing scheme at Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s East Chevington reserve, near Druridge Bay.

Sophie Webster, Catch My Drift project officer, said: “Hope and Eagle are a wonderful addition to the team and I’m sure, once we’re out of lockdown and people start returning to East Chevington, they will have people looking out for them around the reserve.

“Exmoor ponies are very hardy and happy grazing in most environments and are perfect for conservation so, needless to say, we are really excited to be embracing this technique at East Chevington.”

The three-year Catch My Drift project is supported via National Lottery players via a grant of £415,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The funding enables a detailed study of the 185 hectare reserve and the development of an appropriate management plan for the site that attracts 10,000 visitors each year.

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