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6 February 2008
Local MP visits 'challenging' project
Bedfordshire reserve gets a helping hand for improvements
Andrew Selous MP visited Blow’s Downs Nature Reserve near Dunstable, to hear about work being undertaken by the Wildlife Trust thanks to generous funding.
The MP for South West Bedfordshire visited the reserve to meet experts from the Wildlife Trust to learn about the Blow’s Downs Community Challenge Project. This project has been funded by £23,348 from the Landfill Communities Fund of Waste Recycling Group (WRG), administered and distributed by Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN), and £5,000 from The Chilterns Conservation Board.
The project has already provided some new facilities for grazing cattle on the reserve, and plans for the extensive repair and replacement of fencing and gates will allow the safe return of these cattle to a much wider area. Grazing is very important to the reserve as it helps to protect the wide range of plants and flowers that grow there.
Local people are also being invited to take part in conservation activities throughout the year, including managing and monitoring the various habitats and wildlife of the Downs. Several local volunteer groups already work with the Wildlife Trust on the management of the reserve, but the Wildlife Trust’s community involvement officer has encouraged many more people to get involved with their local Wildlife Trust nature reserve. It is hoped that this will foster a greater sense of local pride in the Downs and the wealth of wildlife that they have to offer.
Mr Selous said: ‘“I am delighted to support the work of the Wildlife Trust on Blow’s Downs in engaging both local children and adults to improve this nature reserve for the enjoyment of all. I hope that many future generations of local people will continue to be able to enjoy the rare birds, butterflies and other wildlife on this beautiful piece of countryside.”
Blow's Downs Nature Reserve is especially important for its flower-rich grassland, which attracts rare butterflies like the chalkhill blue and brown argus. It is also an important stopover point for migrating birds like the ring ouzel and wheatear. Concern has been growing, however, about incidences of misuse of the reserve and a disturbing rise in vandalism. By involving the community in the site, it is hoped that local residents will help care for it and the misuse will decline.
Anyone wanting to get involved with conservation work at Blow’s Downs can contact Kathryn Ingall on 01234 362778.