This project is focused on improving water quality and using natural processes to restore a diverse habitat to increase biodiversity. Other works that will be carried out over the next 12 months include; moorland grip blocking which is filling in ditches to improve peat health and to re-wet habitats, ponds dug to act as water storage and natural flood management techniques implemented used to slow the flow of water.Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Leek benefits from first Wilder River Churnet project activity
Hedge planting group at Brough park - by Bryony Davison
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is working with communities and colleagues from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to deliver an exciting new environmental enhancement project.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is working with communities and colleagues from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to deliver an exciting new environmental enhancement project.
The Wilder River Churnet Project will run for 12 months and includes both Staffordshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council sites.
On Thursday 10 March the project launched with the first delivery of work at Brough Park in Leek, one of eight sites included in the project.
Before the hedge planting
During the hedge planting
After the hedge planting
Project Officer Bryony Davison and volunteers from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust joined together with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Ranger Mark to planted a 100m stretch of new hedge. Local Councillor Joe Porter also joined the small team to lend a helping hand and planted some of the trees.
This new section of hedge links to an existing hedge, creating a wildlife corridor. It will also capture run off water leaving the site to ‘slow the flow’ into the river Churnet, which will help mitigate and protect against peak flooding events.
This project is funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Anyone who would like to get involved in the project can contact Bryony directly via email b.davison@staffs-wildlife.org.uk