Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has spoken of its excitement about the variety and scale of its current habitat work and of the vital importance of its supporter base, level of ambition and partnerships working in enabling it to deliver an unprecedented variety of work at more than 20 locations across the county.  

Recent or ongoing habitat work will see more than £1million invested the length and breadth of the county to create or enhance wetlands, woodlands, grasslands and heathlands – helping species from water voles to waders and woodland birds. 

Speaking about the unprecedented variety and scale of projects currently being delivered, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said:  

“We are hugely ambitious for our county and our vision is to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all. Whilst known for caring for nature reserves, the scale of our work with partners and landowners to create more space for nature often goes under the radar. With so much bad news out there and with huge pressures on the environment, it’s wonderful to be able to highlight the exciting and important work our staff and volunteers are delivering right across the county to restore nature with the support of our members, donors and partners.” 

Paul continued, “Our wonderful nature reserves are havens for wildlife, but as the country strives to deliver on its commitment to ensure that 30% of land is supporting wildlife by 2030, we must create more space for nature so that species can spread out into the wider countryside and into our towns and cities too.” 

“We’ve recently or are currently creating and enhancing wildlife habitat at over 20 locations across the county to restore nature and to increase opportunities for people to see and experience nature close to where they live.” 

In addition to caring for nature reserves across Nottinghamshire, including the much-loved Attenborough Nature Reserve near Beeston and the huge Idle Valley Nature Reserve near Retford, the charity has a long history of supporting partners, including farmers and other landowners to restore nature on their land. 

Current work on its nature reserves includes large-scale scrub management at Idle Valley Nature Reserve – to benefit wading birds, willow coppicing at Farndon Willow Holt (near Newark) and an extensive programme of woodland management to reduce the risk to people and property from falling trees and branches affected by Ash Die Back Disease at sites including Attenborough, Duke’s Wood (Eakring), Skylarks (Holme Pierrepont) and Ploughman Wood (Lowdham).   

Elsewhere, the Trust is working with partners to create ponds and ditches to help water voles in both Bassetlaw and Broxtowe, restoring river habitat and water quality and restoring heathland across sites in the Sherwood Forest area and improving woodland habitats on public parks including Berry Hill Park Parks in and around Mansfield.  

Current projects have been made possible that to the support of the Trust’s members and donors, grant making trusts and key partners including Severn Trent, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural England and the Environment Agency.  

Paul added: “Everyone knows that urgent action is needed to put nature into recovery and as a result of our growing and generous supporter base and decades of experience restoring wildlife habitat, we are better placed than ever before to create a wilder Nottinghamshire for all with the support of funders and partners.” 

Partners hosting or supporting the delivery of current projects include Nottinghamshire County Council, Harworth Estates, Mansfield District Council, Broxtowe Borough Council. Newark and Sherwood District Council and local farmers.