Past Projects

This was a one year project, funded by the Postcode Local Trust, which finished in December 2018. The project worked with schools, community groups and local residents to educate and inspire local people to develop and improve their own spaces for wildlife.

The project was developed around the knowledge that wildlife numbers are decreasing and that in most cases this is due to habitat loss. For example, according to the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts Wild About Gardens initiative two out of three of the UK’s plant and animal species have declined over the past 50 years; hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30% in just over 10 years; and long term data from the Rothamsted Insect Survey has shown that 62 moth species have gone extinct since the late 1960s. The aim of our project was to provide habitats to maintain the biodiversity in Hyndburn and help species to survive. Whilst there are obviously open green spaces throughout the Borough we realised there is an under used resource in the form of people’s gardens, backyards and outdoor spaces and this is where we  encouraged people to get involved and wildlife to thrive.

Activities undertaken included making bird/bat boxes, learning to identify different species, collecting wildflower seeds and offering tips on habitat management techniques. Surveys were also carried out to record the activities being carried out by communities, wildlife numbers and the types of habitats created.

In January 2019 we completed a two and a half year project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which focused on Hyndburn’s treasured green spaces of Woodnook Vale and Peel Park/The Coppice. The project culminated with these two sites being designated as Local Nature Reserves – the two largest in Lancashire – and Hyndburn Borough Council now also meets its national target for accessible green space.

Practical conservation tasks were undertaken regularly on each site and included work such as: Invasive Species Clearing, Tree Planting, Coppicing and Tree Felling, Scrub Clearing, Meadow Mangement and Scything, Step and Path Clearance, Litter Picking, Fence Removal, Post Installing, Interpretation Board Installing, Hedgelaying and Dry Stone Walling. Training courses were run in Wildlife Surveying, Dry Stone Walling, Hedge Laying, Tree Felling, Safe use of Tools and Aquatic Invertebrate Sampling and guided walks  looked at the natural and historical heritage of the site. School groups participated in practical sessions and guided walks and families took part in tree planting and pond dipping. A Geocache Trail and Orienteering Course were also established on The Coppice.

Watch the two films showcasing these amazing Local Nature Reserves:

As the Crow Flies

and

Hyndburn’s Local Nature Reserves – the film of our celebration event that was held on Wednesday 11th July 2018 at the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington.