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
| New Fundraising Manager for Crich Tramway Village Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, has appointed a new Fundraising Manager. read more | |
| Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire through December Derbyshire Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (C.R.E.S.T) will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement read more | |
| Derby events company proves knock-out success in Canada A Derby company that has helped raise over £31m for charity by hosting bucket-list challenges for adventurous people ha read more | |
| Developer Set To Make Special Wish For Mission Christmas An East Midlands based house builder, which was named one of the top fundraisers in the East Midlands last year by Mission C read more | |
| CCTV released after thousands of pounds of jewellery stolen during burglaries Police Officers are appealing for the publics help after a series of burglaries in Derby, Amber Valley, read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Heage Windmill Update for Visitors - Change to Opening Times Now that the sails and cap have been safely removed from the windmill, work to replace the sheer timbers (and other repa read more | |
| Employers! Promote your vacancies at the Amber Valley Recruitment Event Amber Valley Borough Council is working in partnership with the Job Centre, Department for Work and Pensions read more | |
| King Charles's Coronation Celebrations And Community Activities Let's Celebrate this Special Occasion Together Riversdale, Ridgeway, Sawmills. read more | |
| The Social Hub @ JGFC - Daytime Social Group The Social Hub @ JGFC is a daytime social group for adults with learning disabilities. One of our 3 Hubs is based in the Amber Valley ar read more | |
| Derbyshire Time Swap Give time, get time, make a difference read more | |
