News / avon wildlife trust
Transforming Bristol’s forgotten wildlife sites
A three-year project to preserve some of Bristol’s hidden habitats and encourage communities to connect with nature gets underway this month.
With wildlife under pressure like never before, My Wild City focusses on eight easily-overlooked spots across the city in a bid to recover, protect and transform them for future generations.
Led by Avon Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Bristol City Council, the project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to help build skills and knowledge within local communities, so people can play their part in ensuring nature can thrive in urban environments.
is needed now More than ever
Ian Barrett leads the way to Lawrence Weston Moor, accompanied by Amy Coulthard, the director of conservation at Avon Wildlife Trust, and MP Darren Jones
“Everyone deserves to access wildlife-rich spaces to enjoy nature and improve their wellbeing,” says Ian Barrett, CEO of Avon Wildlife Trust.
“Our wildlife is under pressure as never before and needs space not just to survive in dwindling numbers and ever-shrinking habitats, but to really thrive in urban neighbourhoods.
“Thanks to this National Lottery Heritage Fund support, we can make a real difference to these hidden habitats, ensuring wildlife like woodpeckers, bats, voles and slow worms are a common sight once more – and these sites will be part of a joined-up network achieving nature’s recovery across the region and nationally.
“There are already local people living near each of these wonderful local wildlife sites who know them well and are giving time and energy to caring for them. My Wild City means we can now support them better and encourage more people to play their part in looking after these special places, so their future is safe.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £453,100 to the partnership project, which begins this month and will offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the wild plants and animals in their neighbourhood.
With the likes of hedgehogs, bats and owls under threat, Avon Wildlife Trust says the city’s pockets of woodland, wildflower meadows and open grassland are more important than ever in helping species survive.
The charity, together with others nationally, is campaigning for stronger laws to help wildlife make a comeback.
The Wilder Future campaign is calling for a Nature Recovery Network to be established – a joined up network of wildlife-rich spaces right across the UK, including local wildlife sites within urban neighbourhoods.
The chosen Bristol sites; Dundry Slopes, Northern Slopes, Hengrove Mounds and Hawkfield Meadow, Lawrence Weston Moor, Saltmarsh Drive Open Space, Stockwood Open Space, Coombe Brook Valley, and Dundridge Woodland, will form a part of this proposed network.
The project aims to connect communities with the nature on their doorstep
Over the next three years, Avon Wildlife Trust will help people living nearby to connect with their local wildlife site through a programme of family days, school visits and practical conservation days to improve the condition of each site.
The long-term aim of the project is to build the capacity of the local community so that people of all ages can contribute to caring for these special places, understanding what is needed to help wildlife flourish and enabling others to access and enjoy the space.
Deputy mayor Asher Craig said: “We are delighted that this project is now getting underway.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to restore the habitats, wildlife and natural heritage of these important sites, while providing many benefits to the communities that get involved.”
Anyone who lives near one of the eight sites and would like to be involved can email: mywildcity@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Read more: Bristol’s wildlife sites under threat
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