Wild:LIFE
Before 2011, North Warwickshire had no
designated Local Nature Reserves but thanks to a successful funding
bid, the Local Nature Reserves Project (renamed Wild:LIFE) will be
developing and designating 4 sites over the next 2 years (from
January 2011 to October 2013).
The project will be delivered in
partnership, with a steering group made up of Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Groundwork West
Midlands, and the British Trust for
Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).
The Sites
The Local Nature Reserve sites are:
Kingsbury - Linear
Park (off Coventry Road) - View on a Google
map
Polesworth
- Abbey Green Park (river Anker area) - View on a
Google map
Coleshill
- Cole End Park (area leading from the Children's Play area to
the Park)
View on a Google
map
New
Arley - Dafferns Wood - View on a Google map
How is it funded?
The Wild:LIFE project is funded by Natural England through Access to
Nature, as part of the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces
programme" receiving a total of £225,249. Funding has also been
made available through the North
Warwickshire Community Partnership for youth work in
Kingsbury and a funding bid is underway to the Forestry Commission for work at
Dafferns Wood in New Arley.
How can I get
involved?
There will be lots of chances for people to
get involved with the project, both by deciding how their local
site is developed and by taking part in activities. The goal will
be to create sites which are used, managed and valued by the
surrounding communities and which provide valuable habitats,
increased biodiversity and learning opportunities.
Activity days will take place on the sites.
For example WildPlay, den building, butterfly and bat
walks, and a variety of surveying opportunities. There will also be
opportunities to take part in the practical conservation and
improvement work which will transform the space into a Local Nature
Reserve. The project will also deliver some activities specifically
for young people with the chance for them to receive recognition
for their achievements through the John Muir Award Scheme and the ASDAN
Environment Award.