This new three year project, funded by Natural England's new Species Recovery Programme (SRP) aims to find out more about how reptiles and amphibians use infrastructure verges, as places to, shelter, forage, mate search and maybe even to hibernate. (images Kevin Clarke, Angela Julian)

Are they moving through these habitats, or are they a permanent place of refuge? What are the advantages to living on the verge, and what are the disadvantages? What does a favourable verge look like? Are the animals driven there because their traditional habitats have become unsuitable, or is this a positive preference? We know very little, but we do know that we can find adders, grass snakes, common lizards, slow-worms and amphibians on road and rail verges, apparently thriving, despite the constant rumble of traffic, the potential for being run over and the constant stream of human refuse. What we don't know is how this unique habitat connects the wider landscape and whether it is in fact a crucial green corridor.

This project will evaluate the importance of these linear habitats for widespread herpetofauna, and their contribution to wider landscape connectivity. It will identify effective design, enhancement, and management strategies; assess their role across varied landscapes; and generate practical, evidence-based outcomes. Findings will also inform best practice guidance for policy makers and land managers, strengthening conservation efforts for widespread reptile species.

We have three project teams, at three locations around England: the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, the ancient fragments of Rockingham Forest in Northamptonshire, and the area around Theford. Whilst all are important for reptiles and amphibians they present contrasting situations, which will inform our study. We have a truly awesome project team including our amazing volunteers from GlosARG, Northants ARG, Notts ARG and Norfolk ARG, Natural England, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydology (UKCEH), Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts, Sapperton Wilder, Forestry England, the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network, and Central Ecology.