RESIDENTS are being urged to get involved in an ambitious new project to create Dorset’s first urban Living Landscape.

A series of public events is being held by Dorset Wildlife Trust and its partners where people can have their say and be a part of the new Urban Wildlink project, to protect wild landscapes and link people and wildlife across the whole east Dorset conurbation.

This major project around the urban areas of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset involves conservation organisations, local authorities, private landowners and the local community.

The kick-start to Urban Wildlink will be the purchase of 1,435 acres of land being sold by the Canford Estate, including internationally important heathland, saltmarsh and reedbeds, ancient woodland and important grassland.

Wildlink aims to build on this to re-connect people and wildlife across the whole area between the New Forest and the Purbecks, providing opportunities for volunteering, encountering nature, making changes for wildlife in gardens, churchyards and other public spaces or becoming wildlife champions in their own community.

Brian Bleese, director of operations and development at the trust said: “Living Landscapes are places where wildlife prospers and contributes to the quality of the natural environment, the economy and our quality of life.

“Urban Wildlink is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a Living Landscape spanning the urban areas of Dorset.

“We need the support of the people and communities of Dorset to make this exciting project happen.”

A development grant of £85,900 from the Heritage lottery Fund has been received and the partners will be applying for £2.4million later this year.

A public appeal has been launched to raise the remaining £300,000.

Consultation events will focus on the sites nearest the venue and are on Saturday June 15 at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown from 10am to 12.30pm; Corfe Mullen Village Hall on Saturday June 22 from 10am to 12.30pm and Broadstone Methodist Church Centre from 2pm to 4.30pm.

At Heatherlands Centre, Tricketts Cross on Saturday June 29 from 10am to 12.30pm and on Saturday July 6 from 10am to 12.30pm at The Community Centre, Upton.