Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust expert writes about creating a wilder Nottinghamshire for all
While known for caring for nature reserves, the scale of our work with partners and landowners to create more space for nature often goes under the radar, writes Erin McDaid of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Thanks to the backing of our supporters, our unfailing ambition, and willingness to collaborate with partners, we are making great strides in our efforts to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all.
In recent weeks and months, the Trust has delivered an exciting variety range of projects at more than 20 locations.
Recent or ongoing habitat work will see well over £1m invested to create or enhance wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and heathlands – helping species from water voles to waders and woodland birds.
Our wonderful nature reserves are havens for wildlife and provide huge numbers of people with opportunities to connect with nature on their doorstep.
But as the country strives to deliver on its commitment to ensure that 30% of land is supporting wildlife by 2030, we must create more space for nature to enable species can spread out into the wider countryside as well as into our towns and cities.
In addition to caring for nature reserves across Nottinghamshire, including the wonderful Besthorpe Nature Reserve alongside the Trent, Treswell Wood — the first site purchased by the Trust — and spectacular Idle Valley Nature Reserve – both near Retford, we have a long history of supporting partners, including farmers and other landowners, to restore nature on their land.
Recent work at our nature reserves includes large-scale scrub management at Idle Valley Nature Reserve to benefit wading birds including lapwing, little ringed plover and redshank; willow pollarding at Farndon Willow Holt, and an extensive programme of woodland management to reduce the risk to people and property from falling trees and branches affected by Ash Die Back Disease at sites including Attenborough, Duke’s Wood (Eakring), Skylarks (Holme Pierrepont) and Ploughman Wood (Lowdham).
Elsewhere, we are working with partners to create ponds and ditches to help water voles in both Bassetlaw and Broxtowe, restoring river habitat and water quality, and restoring heathland across sites in the Sherwood Forest area and improving woodland habitats on public parks including Berry Hill Park Parks in and around Mansfield.
Current projects have been made possible that to the support of the Trust’s members and donors, grant making trusts and key partners including Severn Trent, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Pretty much everyone knows that urgent action is needed to put nature into recovery, and thanks to our growing and generous supporter base and decades of experience restoring wildlife habitat, we are better placed than ever before to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all with the support of funders and partners.
Partners hosting or supporting the delivery of recent or current projects include Nottinghamshire County Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Harworth Estates, Mansfield District Council, Broxtowe Borough Council. and local farmers. We also have exciting plans for even more habitat creation and restoration in the week and months ahead.
With so much bad news out there, I am delighted to be able to highlight the exciting and important work our staff and volunteers are delivering for wildlife and people across Nottinghamshire. In these challenging times, I feel that it is important to take time to celebrate the positive action being taken to put our cherish nature into recovery.
You can support the Trust’s ambitious plans to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all by becoming a member or donor or volunteering your time and expertise.
You can also map any action you are taking for nature locally – whether at home, work, school or in other community settings on our website. Groups and societies can also join the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network to share ideas and inspire others to act.
