Walk for Wild Cornwall

In this it's 40th Anniversary year, Cornwall Wildlife Trust is launching a new event - a sponsored walk for wildlife.

On Sunday 14th July 2002, the Trust holds its first Walk for Wild Cornwall to raise funds for its continuing work throughout the county.

"Come and join us," invites organiser Ba Whitehead. "Sign up your friends and colleagues to sponsor you for the miles you walk and then enjoy a ramble through our nature reserve on Upton Towans."

Upton Towans is a fascinating stretch of sand-dune habitat on the north coast of the Penwith peninsula, about a mile from Hayle.

The area supports several rare and important plant and animal species and many acres of flower-rich dune habitat. One fifth of the plants that can be found in Cornwall live here, as well as a multitude of insects, butterflies and birds. It has, also, a unique history as the site of the National Explosives Factory operating during the First World War, from which arose the local name of Dynamite Towans. (See also the article by Callum Devenev, Reserves Manager, in the summer 2001 edition of Wild Cornwall.)

"Choosing a venue for the new event was difficult," say's Ra. "The Trust has so many beautiful reserves. We hope that this annual event will grow year on year and that different reserves will be used as venues but we arc expecting to build up gradually and, in the end, it came down to logistics - a place which had parking for the (hopefully large) number of cars that will come.

"Many local people use this reserve already but we want to introduce others to the area as well as welcome those regular walkers. It is a wonderful place to visit, with some spectacular views across St Ives Bay."

Walk information

Sunday "14th July 2002.

Walkers may start at any time between 10.30am and 2.00pm (starting point will be signposted from the B3301).

Dogs will be welcome (but are not permitted on the beach).

The path loops around the reserve with options of long or short walks (between 3 and5.5 miles).

Refreshments will be available.

Prizes for the individual walker and team that raise the greatest sums.

Further information and sponsorship forms available from:

Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Allet,
Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ

Tel: (01872) 273939 e-mail: ba@cornwt.demon.co.uk

This site is special because:

It is being considered for scheduling as a national monument. It borders St Ives Bay Sensitive Marine Area .

It lies within the Gwithian to Mexico Towans Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

It lies within a County Wildlife Site. It is a Geological Conservation Review site (GCR).

It adjoins two Heritage Coasts and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

It lies within an Area of Great Scientific Value (AGSV). It lies within an Area of Great Historic Value (AGHV). It lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV).

The management of this reserve is supported by English Nature through the Reserve Enhancement Scheme