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Biodiversity Projects
Biodiversity projects, according to the Landfill Communities Fund are those that deliver biodiversity conservation for UK priority species or habitats. The GBN has worked closely with local organisations to create a number of biodiversity projects.
Biodiversity projects, according to the Landfill Communities Fund are those that deliver biodiversity conservation for UK priority species or habitats. The GBN has worked closely with local organisations to create a number of biodiversity projects.
One of the biodiversity project winners from our tenth anniversary awards, illustrate the types of projects that we have got involved with:
Calderdale Seeds Project, a project to regenerate Calderdale’s haymeadows
Launched in 2006 when it won a £10,000 GBN Tenth Anniversary Award, the Calderdale Seeds Project was a partnership between Green Business Network (GBN), The Calderdale Bird Conservation Group, Halifax Scientific Society and Ann Blackburn Consultancy.
The project helps restore traditional species-rich hay meadows which are not cut until mid July onwards to help protect the Twite, one of the most endangered bird species in England.
The main area where Twite breed in England is the South Pennines with several key colonies on the tops surrounding Hebden Bridge. Here, the birds nest in areas of bracken or heather in the unenclosed land at the edges of moors. To breed successfully they need enclosed grassland immediately downslope from the open moor (in-bye farmland) that can provide enough food for them to raise a brood, preferably species-rich hay meadows.
The project not only benefits wildlife such as the Twite and the rare Small Copper butterfly, it also contributes towards national Biodiversity Action Plan targets for unimproved grassland.
Calderdale Seeds is now a part of the major England Twite recovery Project (RSPB/Natural England/Pennine Prospects).
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| Project Coordinator Ann Blackburn takes a hands on approach to spreading the seed |
Nick Carter, Chairman of Calderdale Bird Conservation Group said “we are grateful for the enthusiasm, involvement and encouragement of local landowners whose cooperation in providing access to their land is vital to the success of the project”. Read our case study on the project by clicking here: Innovative rural communities case study 09.pdf
Visit YouTube to see a video on the success of this project and click here to see Summer 2009 seed collection activities.
Other biodiversity projects include:
- Ringstone Improvement Project, the first purpose designed nature reserve in the area, for a wading bird of national significance, supported by Marshalls plc, Hanson Environment Fund, Yorkshire Water and the RSPB Regional Office. Download the case study here. This project led directly to the establishment of a major new social enterprise 'Green Future Building' by the GBN.
- Balsam Eradication at the source of the River Calder in association with Calder Future.
- Protecting Pennine Peregrines, supported by Marshalls plc.
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| The Ringstone Improvement Project |
