'Wildspaces' was a national campaign, organised by English Nature, to increase the number of Local Nature Reserves in the country. These are often small pockets of open spaces that are valuable for both local people and wildlife. In 2002, South Gloucestershire Council received a three-year Wildspaces grant to employ a dedicated officer to work with local communities to help establish five new reserves and help manage the two existing reserves. The grant also enabled us to run several conservation projects.
In 2005, we managed to get more funding from English Nature to continue Wildspaces for another year. We have also got grants for related work from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, local councils and local businesses.
The project ended in 2006.
Partners
The project brought together several local organisations which gave advice and practical assistance. A steering group was created with representatives from:
- Avon Wildlife Trust
- BTCV (The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
- Forest of Avon
- English Nature
- South Gloucestershire Council
The project's success is also thanks to the large number of local people who have taken part. Several friends groups have been set up and we have also supported existing conservation groups. They have worked tirelessly to ensure the reserves are well managed.
Achievements
The project has been very successful. It has achieved all its targets and added value to the original aims and objectives:
- Since 2002, South Gloucestershire Council has declared five new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
- The latest is Wick Golden Valley, after we signed an access and management agreement with the landowner Cemex in February 2005
- Over 106 hectares (261 acres) of land are now designated as LNRs
- Community-led site management plans have been written for all LNRs
- New community groups have been established to look after the reserves in Bradley Stoke, Wick and Willsbridge
- We have supported existing community groups
- We have enhanced a number of important habitat types included in our biodiversity action plan, including ancient (semi-natural) woodland, ponds, rhynes, rivers and water bodies, hedges and field margins
- We have carried out conservation activities including coppicing, restoring ponds or creating new ones and surveying and managing many species-rich hedges
- We have improved access by replacing stiles with kissing gates and, where possible, putting down suitable surfacing for disabled visitors
- We have improved signing, using locally-sourced timber to make attractive waymarkers
- We have put up interpretation panels and produced leaflets giving information about the wildlife and cultural heritage of the sites
- We've raised over £450,000 for a range of projects including the peregrine web camera at Wick and the photographic project at Wapley
- We've established good working relationships between local businesses, parish councils, schools and local residents helping to create sustainable projects at our reserves