Conservation
Habitat improvement and conservation are very important to the Eastridge Estate. In 2012 the Estate entered into a Higher Level Stewardship agreement with Natural England. This was aimed at restoring the water meadows alongside the river Kennet, enhancing areas of chalk grassland across the higher parts of the Estate, and improving the habitat value of the arable farm by introducing buffer strips, grass margins, pollen and nectar plantings, and wild bird cover.
The Eastridge water meadows are known as one of few locations with a strong population of Desmoulin whorl snail, so work has been focused to maintain the habitat favoured by that popular species of snail, and to encourage greater numbers of over-wintering waders and wildfowl.
The Eastridge water meadows are known as one of few locations with a strong population of Desmoulin whorl snail, so work has been focused to maintain the habitat favoured by that popular species of snail, and to encourage greater numbers of over-wintering waders and wildfowl.
