Somerset photographers to benefit from 'super' Mendip Hills

The Mendips are now the second of the King’s series of National Nature Reserves committed to enhancing biodiversity and nature recovery.

Several Somerset-based organisations have declared a partnership to help nature recovery in the Natural Nature Reserve. 

These include Natural England, Mendip Hills AONB, the National Trust, Longleat/Cheddar Gorge Caves, Somerset and Avon Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation, the Woodland Trust, and the South West Heritage Trust.

A local photographer who specialises in taking pictures of outer-space from the depths of Somerset, believes the new partnership is a big step towards preserving the area's dark skies and natural beauty.Josh Dury specialises in astrophotography from all over the South West. (Image: Josh Dury Photo-Media)

"[It's] a massive achievement for the local area in preserving our heritage, ecology and dark skies," said Josh Dury, an astrophotographer who frequently visits the Mendip Hills to capture incredible shots.

"As a protected area of natural beauty and special scientific interest, from my perspective, makes it more important than ever to protect our 'windows to the universe'.

"[It's] amazing it’s been awarded this status and great from my perspective in campaigning for dark skies."

Currently, Somerset's Exmoor National Park is a recognised "Dark Sky Reserve", which are described by Dark Sky as: "'Dark core' zones surrounded by a populated periphery where policy controls protect the darkness of the core."

Although the Mendip Hills do benefit from particularly low light pollution levels, we are yet to see whether the area will be awarded this title as well as being named a "super" Natural Nature Reserve and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.