The built up areas and farmland are not without value for wildlife. Large gardens can provide a rich succession of flowers for bees, now recognised as having huge importance in pollinating commercial agricultural and horticultural crops. Agricultural land is usually bounded by hedges that form links between the richer areas as well as nest sites for birds. The flora of road verges may include many species of importance for pollinators and may also include uncommon plants such as Corky-fruited Water Dropwort for which the verges of the lane from the Winfrith roundabout to Coombe Wood has been designated by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Smaller sites may provide small islands where uncommon species thrive or provide additional habitats within the parish mosaic. More joined up sites is a national policy ambition.