Walking on Dorset’s Heath

Protecting and Managing the Heaths

Today there are about 8500 hectares of heathland in Dorset.

The majority of Dorset heaths are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and above, such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

These nature conservation protection classifications are to protect these important places. SPAs and SACs are collectively known as Natura 2000 (N2000) sites which form a European wide network of nature conservation sites. Protecting and managing these sites is a shared responsibility with landowners, managers, Natural England and site users including us as dog walkers.