Project C for 2019: Wildlife, Woods and Water (Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group)

A walk in your local woods and down to the nature reserve sounds great, but it can be a challenge!

Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group want to help Rastrick residents to enjoy the local natural environment, take healthy, sociable walks and get a great view of nature and the fascinating habitats at our local nature reserve.

But a very steep, muddy path leads down through the woods to the river, the canal and the reserve.

We want to:

1.    Improving the public footpath through Reins Wood and Strangstry Wood with better surfacing, steps and signage from Lillands Lane down to the railway crossing and into the nature reserve.

2.    Work on the nature reserve to keep open water in the lagoon, conserving special habitats for plants and all sorts of wildlife, extending our wheelchair accessible footpath and providing an additional viewing point across the reedbed.

Everybody will benefit – wildlife AND people.

We’ll use contractors for the heavy work and involve volunteers in the smaller practical tasks.

CBWG is a registered charity with a strong record of working for wildlife and for people. We work with the council’s Countryside Service to ensure our plans are sustainable and have a long term impact.

We want to encourage local interest and activity from groups and schools – there’s lots of scope for outdoor learning, wildlife surveys, fitness challenges, volunteering with CBWG, and a sociable cuppa and a chat at the CBWG Sunday Cafe on the reserve.