Trust receives six-figure sum to purchase new reserves

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has secured more space for nature and people thanks to more than £200,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the trust has been awarded the cash to fund the purchase of Slinter Woods and Dunsley Meadows near Cromford, with part of the funding earmarked to deliver management and restoration plan for the sites.

The trust’s team of rewilders will now take action to help nature recover at the connected sites with community engagement plans, practical delivery, surveying and monitoring.

Tree safety work will also be completed to ensure safe access for all, and an assessment is being made for an improved grazing strategy on the meadows to deliver habitat improvement and biodiversity uplift.

Across the UK, 97% of wildflower meadow habitat has been lost with a maximum of 1,700 hectares remaining in the whole of the county.

Dunsley Meadows is a neutral grassland that supports a series of species-rich pastures and meadows.

Slinter Woods is a combination of woodland, scrub and grassland habitats, supporting at least 12 nationally notable species of plant, with many other plants of local scarcity.

The site is also home to the winter hibernation sites of at least four bat species in the disused mines and caverns.

The two new nature reserves are adjacent to the trust’s existing reserves at Rose End Meadows and Gang Mine, adding an additional 15.5 hectares of space for nature.

According to the trust, by connecting the spaces, a green corridor has been extended for wildlife to migrate safely, and even more space for people to visit and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of nature.

Ellie Field, living landscape manager for Derwent Valley at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said:  “We are thrilled to have been awarded this funding from National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to secure this land for nature and connect the landscape to existing nature reserves in the area.

“These sites play a strategic role in delivering a nature recovery network of wooded habitat in the Derwent catchment.

“Although much of the site is classed as being in favourable condition there is still a lot of work to do to reinvigorate and restore the ancient woodland and improve existing grazing systems to ensure the longevity of the habitat and enable it to act as a corridor for linking.

“The purchase is also great news for local residents and visitors who will be able to continue to enjoy the extended area, and to see it become richer for nature in the years to come.”