Shoeburyness Old Ranges facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shoeburyness Old Ranges
Type	Local Nature Reserve
Location	Shoeburyness, Essex
OS grid	TQ 929 840
Area	6.4 hectares
Managed by	Essex Wildlife Trust

Shoeburyness Old Ranges, also known as Shoebury Ranges, is a special natural area in Shoeburyness, Essex. It's a 6.4-hectare Local Nature Reserve, which means it's a place protected for its wildlife and nature. This reserve is also part of a bigger important area called the Foulness Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, a group that helps protect nature.

What Makes Shoeburyness Old Ranges Special?

This nature reserve is unique because of its plants and the land they grow on. It has a special type of unimproved grassland over old sand dunes. This means the grass here hasn't been changed by farming or building, keeping it very natural.

Amazing Plants and Habitat

You can find many different types of grasses and sedges growing here. Sedges are plants that look a bit like grass but have solid, triangular stems. In the damp, low areas, you'll also see rushes, which are plants that like wet ground.

Wildlife That Helps the Land

Rabbits play an important role at Shoeburyness Old Ranges. They graze on the grassland, keeping the grass short. In these areas where the grass is very short, you can find many different types of lichens. Lichens are like tiny, colorful patches that grow on surfaces, often looking like a mix of fungus and algae.

Visiting Shoeburyness Old Ranges

While you can't walk directly into the Shoeburyness Old Ranges, you can still see its beauty! There's a footpath that goes all the way around the edge of the reserve. This path lets you view the special plants and habitat from a distance.

A Bit of History

Before it became a nature reserve, this area was part of MoD Shoeburyness. The MoD stands for Ministry of Defence, and they used this land for military purposes. Now, it's a peaceful place where nature thrives.