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IN FULL BLOOM

An ambitious project to recreate a rare habitat is starting to be realised at Belper Parks Local Nature Reserve in Belper. Lowland meadow which is home to lots of different flowers, grasses and wildlife has declined by over 95% over the last 50 years but a three year land fill tax funded project is aiming to stop the rot.

‘Wild about Nature' is a SITA Trust funded project through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme between Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. It is working on 14 sites across the area to restore or recreate species rich grasslands which have all but disappeared.

The site in Belper was reseeded with a special wildflower mix of local characteristics to recreate what would have been around before agricultural improvements and loss of land to developments.

Work began last Autumn on the site and now the field is a blaze of colour as flowers like corncockle, cornflower and yellow rattle come into bloom.

Tim Brooks, Community Wildspaces Officer at Groundwork said, “This is a long term project as we are trying to recreate something that would have taken centuries to develop. Unfortunately these habitats are sensitive and can be lost overnight through bad management or people simply not realising their value. On work on restoring other sites is also providing positive results already with a return of now uncommon flowers.”

Phase 2 of the project on Belper Parks will continue this Autumn when the rest of the field is re-seeded. It is hoped that in time it will be managed as a hay meadow with a local farmer.

FURTHER INFORMATION …

Tim Brooks - 01773 841566

 

ABOUT GROUNDWORK DERBY & DERBYSHIRE …

Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire is part of a national federation of nearly 50 independent Trusts, covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each Trust works with their partners to improve the quality of the local environment, the lives of local people and the profitability of local business.

Our purpose is “to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action”. We achieve this by encouraging local people, local businesses and other organisations to become involved in practical projects that improve their quality of life, bring about regeneration and lay the foundations for sustainable development. Each year we deliver hundreds of projects in neighbourhoods which are affected by high unemployment and crime levels, poor public health, run down housing and public spaces, waste ground and struggling businesses.

Formerly Groundwork Erewash Valley, Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire was officially launched in October 2006 to cover the SSP areas of Derbyshire, including: South Derbyshire, Erewash, Derby City, Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales and High Peak. North East Derbyshire, Bolsover & Chesterfield remain with Groundwork Creswell.