Nottingham

Skylarks Nature Reserve – awarded £4,150

Skylarks Nature Reserve is close to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. It was once an area of disused gravel pits covering 11 hectares, which had been re-colonised with plants and animals since its closure some 20 years ago. It was not suitable for the elderly and/or physically disabled people. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust received Barclays SiteSavers funding to substantially improve access to the area. Funding was also used to encourage volunteers to get involved in running the project – both to encourage use of the reserve by the community and to improve the site for wildlife.

In a bid to improve accessibility paths were widened and resurfaced. Drainage was installed to help prevent flooding. Vegetation was cut back, willow trees were coppiced and overhanging branches cleared.

Staff from the West Bridgford branch of Barclays together with volunteers from the local area helped carry out work in specially arranged site management days. Volunteers learnt traditional forms of land management, such as hay making, acquiring new skills whilst ensuring the development of diverse grassland flora and fauna. A woodland workday also took place, attended by Barclays staff and other volunteers, where they carried out coppicing and other woodland management. Members of the South Nottinghamshire Wildlife Group were on hand to provide information, encouraging interest in the nature reserve and greater volunteer involvement.

Local volunteers are continuing to conduct their own work days on the nature reserve, utilising the training, advice and equipment provided by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.