EVESHAM-based Severn Waste Services is donating just short of £30,000 to to give a green boost to local nature attractions.
The company, which distributes the Severn Waste Environment Fund, has handed over the cash to pay for work at Piper’s Hill Common (nr Hanbury), The Devil’s Spittleful (near Bewdley), Ipsley Alders Marsh (Redditch), Pound Green Common (near Bewdley), Tiddesley Wood (Pershore) and Eades Meadow (nr Bromsgrove).
It will allow for tree surveys, opening up sunny woodland rides, bracken control on important heathland nature reserves and boardwalk repairs to allow access for visitors, contractors and volunteers.
Helen Woodman, reserves team leader for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Severn Waste Services, through the environmental charity Welcome to Our Future, have been able to fund this series of really important work on several of our nature reserves.
“We’ve got more than 70 wonderful sites across the county and they all take time, effort and money to make them great for wildlife as well as suitable for people to visit and enjoy them.
“The money is already helping us to undertake vital conservation work such as clearing woodland rides to ensure a wide variety of flowers grow that support butterflies and bees.
“It’s also helped us to install new fencing that will allow us to graze sites with sheep and cattle – helping to make sure that vigorous grasses don’t overtake the more delicate wildflowers.”
Tiddesley Wood, on the edge of Pershore, is one of the Trust’s most visited nature reserves and is an ancient semi-natural woodland that is an important habitat for birds, butterflies and woodland flowers.
The Fund has helped to pay for coppicing and ride-side management, both of which are essential management tools for improving the habitat and maintaining the biodiversity value of the woodland.
Jim Haywood of Severn Waste Services said: “Through our contributions to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust we have been delighted to see the improvements that have been made to protect and enhance our local environment.
“I am pleased that our funding has enabled Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to continue their valuable work and to support the numerous volunteers involved in the organisation.”
For more information about the Trust visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk.
For more information about Severn Waste Services visit www.severnwaste.com/.
