Kent Wildlife Trust has received a grant for £34,744 from Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental projects across the UK.
The money will be used for the Trust’s exciting new Wooden it be Wilder project for habitat restoration works at Cromers Wood nature reserve and Local Wildlife Site (LWS) near Sittingbourne.
The work, which will take place over the next year, will be varied and includes pond restoration; removing some very large non-native eucalyptus trees; and returning some of the planted sweet chestnut woodland to native species – closer to what would have naturally existed before the chestnut planting. New wildlife-friendly woodland rides are to be created and there will be coppicing, pollarding and habitat creation.
Matt Hayes, the Trust’s Area Warden for Cromers Wood, said: “This project is going to be great for Cromers Wood and its wildlife. It’s so wide-ranging, working on different habitats throughout the wood that will benefit so many different species. From tawny owls and bats in the trees, to butterflies and other insects on the coppiced areas and rides – right through to amphibians like great crested newts, and dragonflies in the pond. I can’t wait for things to get started!”
Barry Bellgrove, Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer and local visitor to the reserve, said: “Cromers Wood is a great place to get out and about and the grant work will make it even nicer to visit – it will be good to see the pond improved as well.”
Gillian French, Biffa Award Head of Grants, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Kent Wildlife Trust with its restoration project at Cromers Wood. This is a fantastic place, important for the wildlife that calls it home, and enjoyed by the local community. Thanks to Landfill Communities funding, the site will be restored to its full natural glory.”