Page 6 - Wildlife News August 2017

People & nature

Space to breathe (danny green)

Together with your ongoing support, the
Heritage Lottery Fund helps to bring many
projects into fruition, creating spaces for
wildlife – and people – to breathe

A new audience

Bright, spacious and ecologically sound, College Lake’s new visitor centre
opened in 2010 and immediately raised the Trust’s profile in this corner of
Buckinghamshire. With stunning views of the lakes it attracted more than
40,000 visitors within its first year, more than 70% of whom were first-time
visitors to a BBOWT nature reserve.

Back to nature (WENDY TOBITT) Helping others (STACEY DORAN)
(WENDY TOBITT)
Oxfordshire’s Chimney Moor Copse, Berks, doubled in size when land adjoining the original
Meadows are among reserve was acquired in 2006. Thousands of trees were planted within the
the last unspoilt flood extension, linking existing areas of woodland, while a field was turned into a
meadows surviving in wildflower meadow. Moor Copse now supplies green hay to local farmers, so
the heart of the Thames they too can create new flower-rich grassland as part of HRH Prince Charles’
Valley. Purchased with Coronation Meadows project.
HLF support in 2003,
BBOWT has transformed Stronger together
fields of wheat and barley
to their former glory. Now Through its programme of
awash with wild flowers, events and activities the
these wetlands are once Linking the Landscape in West
again home to wading Berkshire project is raising
birds such as curlew. awareness among people living
6 Wildlife news / August 2017 in and near Newbury of the
remarkable natural heritage
found nearby. The project is
also linking up the area’s wildlife
habitats through targeted
conservation management
to improve its strength and
resilience. It’s a win-win for
wildlife and people.