Endangered plant returns to Hampshire heathland

A rare “living fossil” plant dating back 400 million years has been reintroduced to a heathland site in Hampshire following habitat restoration at Eelmoor Marsh near Farnborough.

Conservationists from Marwell Wildlife have managed the 195-acre heathland site for more than 30 years, creating the wet, open conditions needed for marsh clubmoss and other species to survive.

Marsh clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata), a type of fern, is an ancient, endangered species that has remained virtually unchanged since prehistoric times. It is typically found on open, peaty and bare ground in wet heathland and on the edges of tracks.

Records have fallen dramatically in recent decades as heathland has been lost or dried out. Today, the plant survives at only a small number of sites in England and Wales – most of these are in Hampshire and Dorset.

At Eelmoor Marsh, conservation efforts have focused on recreating the ground conditions the plant depends on. In November 2025, various dams were installed to retain water on site for longer, helping maintain the damp habitats essential for the species’ growth and regeneration.

Carla Broom, Senior UK Conservationist at Marwell Wildlife, said: “Marsh clubmoss has declined dramatically in the UK and we’re doing all we can to reverse this.

“Reintroducing the species to Eelmoor Marsh is a significant step, but it’s part of a wider programme of work. We’re creating small areas of exposed peat, creating dams to rewet the heathland, and using conservation grazing to naturally disturb the ground, which helps spread spores and encourages new growth.

“Protecting and restoring biodiversity like this is so important to understand and tackle climate change.”

Holly Stanworth from Species Recovery Trust said: “Marsh clubmoss is one of the UK’s most fascinating and threatened heathland plants, so it’s exciting to support efforts to strengthen the population at Eelmoor Marsh following years of habitat restoration work.

“This work is part of a wider national programme to restore the species across its historic range, improve our understanding of its ecological requirements, and secure its future in the wild.

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Marwell Wildlife, Natural England and the landowners on this important project.”

Marwell Wildlife has managed Eelmoor Marsh since 1995 and used conservation grazing, with Przewalski’s horses and Highland cattle, along with other techniques, to maintain and improve the heathland habitat. One of the UK’s rarest reptiles, the sand lizard, has also been reintroduced here.

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