Cattle are an essential part of conservation management. Heathland and chalk grassland are man-made habitats that were created by clearing ancient forests around 5,000 years ago. This formed large open expanses of land which were kept clear by grazing animals including sheep and cattle. Areas such as these which are simply grazed and have never been ploughed or fertilized have now become some of our richest and most diverse habitats. Traditional breeds of sheep and cattle, such as Herdwicks and Belted Galloways, are used by the Trust to continue the tradition of grazing on downland and heathland sites.