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6 June 2007
Major funding boost for Cambridgeshire’s ancient woodlands
'Forests for the Future' Project gets a helping hand from a legacy left to the Trust
Local people and The Wildlife Trust are celebrating a huge funding boost for the county’s woodland wildlife, thanks to a fantastic £150,000 funding boost from SITA Trust for the Cambridgeshire’s Forests for the Future project, and a generous legacy left by Miss Audrey Martin.
Thirteen of The Wildlife Trust’s key woodland nature reserves are being supported for the next three years as part of this major conservation project, providing vital support for the charity’s work to protect and enhance over 356 hectares (900 acres) of woodland across the whole county. The project is also providing vital support of The Wildlife Trust’s work to recreate over 70 acres of new woodland, helping to complete the first stage in the charity’s work to make a momentous link between Waresley and Gransden Woods and Gamlingay Woods.
The funding from SITA Trust was released thanks to a generous donation of over £15,000 from the Legacy of Miss Audrey Martin, administered by Hewitsons.
John Leaver, Chairman of SITA Trust “We are delighted to be able to contribute £150,000 towards this important project in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This project is yet another shining example of a growing number of priority projects which our Trust has been able to support as part of its Enriching Nature programme. Conserving ancient woodlands is not only important in itself but hopefully ensures that generations to come will be able to enjoy these safeguarded natural environments.”
Due to it history of intensive agriculture, Cambridgeshire has less woodland than almost every other county in Britain. The new project is helping The Wildlife Trust to safeguard some of our most important remaining woodland throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Emma Pollard, business development manager at The Wildlife Trust said, “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. Our ancient woodlands provide vital homes for a variety of wildlife, including rare butterflies, wildflowers, barn owls and the threatened dormouse. And of course these wild places are beautiful retreats for local people across the county too. By linking ancient woodland and creating larger nature reserves, we can help wildlife to move more freely to find food and shelter and adapt to changes in weather, such as those predicted by climate change.”
For further details, please contact Emma Pollard, business development manager, on 01954 713549 or email emma.pollard (at) wildlifebcnp.org.