Trust launches appeal to reclaim more space for people and nature in the heart of Ambergate!
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has secured the purchase of more than 80 acres of retired farmland and launched an appeal to ensure the empty fields can once again be claimed by nature.
The Trust has already secured £1 million towards the purchase and is now calling on the public to help raise £300,000 towards the completion of the sale and rewilding projects across Derbyshire before 24th November.
Common Farm and its 18 fields of previously sheep-grazed grassland in Nether Heage currently provides some habitat for wildlife, but it represents a significant opportunity to create a new, richer reserve at what is a critical time for nature.
With donations from generous members and supporters, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s expert teams will take action to help nature recover and thrive at Common Farm, including plans to fill drainage ditches to help re-wet the land and create pools and bogs that will support the return of birds on the red list of threatened species such as curlew and lapwing.
Located less than a kilometre away from the River Derwent and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s existing nature reserves at Wyver Lane and Crich Chase, rewilding Common Farm will create a mosaic of habitats including woodland expansion, scrubby thickets, and species rich open grassland.
Within just a year of being owned by the Trust, the reserve will already be filling up with new sights, sounds and scents of nature returning. In time, new scrub and grassland will provide habitats for barn owls and skylarks, and for plants such as harebell and ragged robin.
Matt Buckler, Director of Natural Solutions at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:
“Our wider vision is to ensure at least 30% of Derbyshire’s land and water is connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. Making more space for nature at Common Farm will give wildlife the chance to recover here, and once regenerated it will store more carbon, help store more water to reduce local flooding and help trap nutrients that leech into our river systems.
“Through the natural regeneration of this land, we will see the return of key species that have previously been lost, vegetation will blossom through the reduction of grazing pressure, and there will be a burst in diversity of wildflowers, attracting a wider range of pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies. New thickets of scrub will provide shelter for nesting bird species and nectar sources for our pollinators, whilst offering refuge for small mammal populations.
“The purchase is not only good news for wildlife, its great news for local residents and visitors to the area too. The site includes a cluster of buildings that offer the potential to help more people access wildlife and understand the benefits of rewilding.
“We are so grateful for the support we have already received and hope our appeal is successful in allowing us to create an oasis for wildlife, which future generations can come and enjoy.”
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Appeal after criminal damage at Midland Railway Station Police Officers investigating an incident of criminal damage in Ripley are appealing for witnesses and information. read more | |
| Companion Pass For Eligible Disabled Gold Bus Card Users Now Available Eligible disabled Gold Card holders can now apply for a companion pass, allowing another person to travel with read more | |
| Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire during May 2024 Derbyshire Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (C.R.E.S.T) will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement read more | |
| Travel Survey Launched For Belper, Glossop And Ilkeston How do you get around town if you live in Belper, Glossop or Ilkeston? And what improvements do you think should be made to m read more | |
| Call Out for Hobby Horse Riders to Take Part in DCG Fundraiser for Brave Ex-Student Derby College Group (DCG) is staging a Hobby Horse Charity Event at Broomfield Hall for Libby Dod read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
| Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley boosting the speed, performance and coverage of mobile services in the area. read more | |
| Trent Barton Buses - Extension Of The £2 Single Fare Cap Trent Barton Buses have confirmed their participation in the extension of the £2 single fare cap until the end o read more | |
| Crich Tramway Village Looking For An Engineering Manager The successful candidate for this post will have excellent management skills gained whilst working in a practical workshop e read more | |
