Nottinghamshire biodiversity report highlights woodland gains
Nottinghamshire County Council says 275 hectares of woodland have been created as part of its new Biodiversity Duty Report, while volunteers head to Seller’s Wood today for hands-on conservation work.
Morning briefing Nottingham
Temperature
6° to 13°C
Rain
Dry today
Wind
Gusts 31 mph
Sunset
20:14
Ride details Mixed conditions - strong winds
Recommended gear
- Windproof
- Jacket
- Light layers
Best times to ride
Very windy today
- 06 7°
- 09 9°
- 12 12°
- 15 13°
- 18 12°
- 21 9°
Nottinghamshire County Council has released its Biodiversity Duty Report this month, which highlights the creation of 275 hectares of new woodland, 15,400 hours of work dedicated to a five year-scheme, the Notts Outdoors education service, and a number of other initiatives.
The report covers many of the schemes the Council is running to conserve and enhance biodiversity within its region. Local councils have a legal obligation to not just maintain, but to measurably improve natural habitats. Nottingham City Council has not published a similar report, but offers guidance to developers on how to achieve their obligations.
The County report mentions "Natural Flood Management schemes". There are 85,000 properties within the council's borders which are at risk of flooding. Flood management can be done badly, leading to natural wetland cycles being broken. So, the council have produced detailed reports per at-risk area. Measures have included "leaky barriers", man-made ponds, and catchments to allow for flooding to happen at less risky places.
The council also launched their 25-year Greenwood Forest Plan last year. It plans to deliver increased tree and hedgerow cover, a greater variety of trees, and a key aspect: collaboration from the community.
Much of these protected sites of biodiversity may be owned by the local authority or even private enterprise, but are often managed by charities and local communities. Attenborough Nature Reserve, for instance, managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust but is owned in part by the quarry and gravel extraction companies that used the site commercially.
Seller's Wood is a site owned by Nottingham City Council, but once again managed by the Wildlife Trust. As a charity, the trust relies heavily on donations of both money and time. There are frequent community days that can be found around many of the Nottinghamshire green spaces.
Today, starting at 10am (and running until around lunch time), the Nottingham Green Guardians will be running a conservation session at Seller’s Wood Local Nature Reserve. There will be a good amount of exercise to be had: removing ivy, clearing paths, and maybe even getting wet with pond margin maintenance. The Guardians will be on hand to guide beginners, and to provide PPE and tools. The meeting point is the entrance on Wood Link, NG6 7FW.
