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18 April 2008
A huge grant enables a biodiversity facelift
Four Nene Valley nature reserves benefit thanks to funding
The local Wildlife Trust was awarded a huge grant of nearly £44,000 from Biffaward to improve wetland and ex-gravel pit nature reserves in the Nene Valley, including Barnes Meadow, Kingsthorpe Meadow, Storton’s Pits and Summer Leys.
The Wildlife Trust’s committed volunteer teams helped with physical improvements to the four reserves, which included mowing grasslands; pollarding willows; repairing and installing fences; improving access; and producing species lists for visitors.
Amateur ecologists also helped with monitoring the reserves for species like bats and water beetles, which can indicate the condition of reserves. Contractors carried out major tasks, such as clearing ditches to balance water levels and digging scrapes to provide feeding areas for wading birds.
The grant also allowed the Trust to care for its ‘flying flock’ of native breed sheep that are used as a sustainable management tool to keep grasslands in the best condition. Traditional breeds, such as Manx Loaghtan and Hebridean, are hardy sheep that thrive on rough grassland and keep woody scrub at bay.
Wetland habitats in the Nene Valley offer a haven for a wide range of wildlife, including otter, water vole and great crested newt. The Upper Nene Valley is internationally important for wildlife, especially over-wintering swans and ducks. Local people also enjoy the wilderness atmosphere of the nature reserves. The project aims to protect and restore these thriving ecosystems for the benefit of people and wildlife. It also made progress towards several local Biodiversity Action Plan targets that aim to protect and enhance the biodiversity in Northamptonshire.
Tom Day, conservation manager of the Tust in Northamptonshire said, “The Nene Valley is a key area for the Wildlife Trust’s vision of Living Landscapes. By involving local communities the Trust will work to halt biodiversity loss, create truly sustainable communities and reconstruct a resilient countryside able to adapt to climate change”.
Biffaward is a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, which uses landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services to improve the environment
If you are interested to find out more about the Nene Valley, the Wildlife Trust nature reserves near you or how you can get involved in the work of the Trust please contact Tamzin Smith on 01604 405285.