I’m Harri, the Wilder Officer up North and as part of my role, I am active in the community finding out how local people are taking action for nature. When I went to meet Maun Conservation Group (MCG), I was blown away by the amount of work they are doing in the community for nature.
How Maun Conservation Group is helping to create a Wilder Nottinghamshire
Photo © Harri Phillips
Join Harri, Wilder Nottinghamshire Officer (North) on a trip to meet Maun Conservation Group and find out how they put a fire in her belly to want to do more.
Photo © Harri Phillips
Natilee and I went to meet with Sarah and Claire from Maun Conservation Group on site. We spent a wonderful sunny morning walking the site and learning all about the wonderful work that they are doing. Well, I was learning but Natilee has had the pleasure of working with this group for a while now and her knowledge and understanding of the area and the work they do is amazing. Maun Conservation Group consists of approximately 12 core people, this amazed me as the amount of work they complete is mind-boggling.
Photo © Harri Phillips
We visited Oakham Nature Reserve and Quarry Lane Nature Reserve talking about all things conservation, nature, future plans for the site, and previous work done. The time just flew. I was learning so much and thoroughly enjoying the walk, I was amazed that we were just a 5-minute walk from the centre of Mansfield, what a hidden gem.
I was fascinated to learn about the way that MCG has worked so successfully with many companies such as McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s and Severn Trent and how they have aided with site clean-ups. Their longstanding successful relationship with the Mansfield District Council is admirable. They have worked side by side with them for years. MCG also works with local schools to engage children with nature. The pond dipping area is amazing and the children are so lucky to have use of it. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is also one of the lucky groups of people who have, and continue to have, the pleasure of working with MCG. One of our Wildlife Watch Groups is run from the sites by Sarah, Claire, and other volunteers and it sounds like they have a blast learning and taking part in all sorts of activities.
Photo © Harri Phillips
There are so many things I could write about in this blog as MCG is doing so much good but the one I'd really like to focus on is how MCG played a massive part in stopping a planning application for new houses to be built. The proposed access to the new housing estate was the issue and would have impacted negatively on the Local Nature Reserve, affecting the environment, the wildlife and the local community’s green space.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust agreed that this application would be damaging and disruptive for wildlife and invested time objecting to it - later advising Mansfield District Council to appoint an independent ecologist to advise on the case. MCG worked endlessly researching and fighting for nature preservation and attended court for four full days to fight the case and down to the bitter end had no idea what way the outcome would go. As they spoke about the battle the passion in their eyes was evident and the love for the site and nature ran through their words. I was hanging on to every word.
Photo © Harri Phillips
All the time, effort, research, and investment of time paid off in the end and the battle was won, the wildlife site and River Maun were safe to thrive without fear of the road passing through.
As I listened to the story, I felt so inspired. All too often I hear people say that there isn’t anything they can do to help as they are just a small group of people. This battle along with the continuous conservation work that MCG are doing is proof that we can all make a difference. It shows how when we have a common goal and work together we can achieve great things. As I stood there looking at the proposed site I was thankful for their battles and commitment.
Find out more
To find out more about Maun Conservation group please visit their website, where you will find plenty of information on how to get involved or just enjoy the sites.