SSSI’s
Rushmore is home to the Rotherley Downs site of special scientific interest (SSSI) which is dominated by grass, scrub, and ancient semi-natural woodland. As one of the most species rich grassland types in Britain, it is unsurprising that many rare species are found here. Link to Rotherley Downs SSSI citation:
https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1005782.pdf
The Cranborne Chase SSSI covers a large area of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland at Rushmore, relatively untouched over centuries of preservation for deer hunting, and in turn has enabled species reliant on this rare habitat to survive. This site specifically is rich in diverse ground flora, lichens, and associated fauna. Link to SSSI citation:
https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003368.pdf
AONB
Rushmore sits within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) well known for the internationally recognised Dark Sky reserve.