Without careful management,
the Commons would deteriorate into scrub, and this valuable
habitat with its rare animal and plant species would be lost.
Clinton Devon Estates employs full time wardens to look after
the Commons and implement their Heathland Management Plan, developed
in conjunction with English Nature. The wardens work throughout
the year maintaining the heathland by activities such as scrub
and bracken clearance, cutting firebreaks, maintaining paths
for walkers and supervising selective grazing by cattle. Conservation
volunteers also play an important part in the maintenance programme.
The
considerable cost of the ongoing maintenance work is met by
the Estates helped in part by funds and grants from the Heritage
Lottery and the DEFRA Stewardship Scheme.
Currently, the cost of providing car parks for public access
is met by cross-funding from other areas of the Estates. However,
this cost is rising as more people use the area for recreation.
Surface erosion is a problem and the most hardwearing surface,
tarmac, cannot be laid on this protected area. The Estates
take legal action against those who attempt to dump litter
or cars.
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