Trust launches appeal to complete purchase of land in Cromford
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to have secured the purchase of an area of land with huge potential benefit for local wildlife. The land will extend an existing nature reserve; Rose End Meadows in Cromford, and allow the reserve to connect directly into the wider landscape.
The Trust now has until 17th October to raise the funds it needs to complete the sale, and has launched an appeal to raise £126,000.
If owned by the Trust it will eventually mean a 200 acre area for wildlife could be created by providing a key stepping stone to link together a number of sites. The Trust’s goal is to ensure at least 33% of Derbyshire is good for wildlife by 2030 by reconnecting and restoring land. As well as connecting areas for wildlife, the land would enable better access for people via circular walks and footpaths across a wide area, and easily accessible from the High Peak Trail.
Matt Buckler, Head of Wilder Landscapes said; “There has been fantastic local support from people who were keen that we buy the site. When these rare opportunities come up, we look carefully at how they link with existing wildlife sites, how they help us create a network for nature’s recovery in Derbyshire and improve or create places for people to enjoy too. We’re overjoyed this opportunity has come up to secure more space for nature.”
“The land is already protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its really diverse limestone grassland species meaning it has high value for wildlife but puts restrictions on what activities and development can take place. By extending the reserve boundary we can manage a much larger area for nature. This makes the habitat much more resilient and helps species including wildflowers such as devil’s bit scabious and autumn gentian, butterflies such as wall brown and dingy skipper and birds such as skylark and linnet, both of which need reasonable areas of survive in.”
Donations can be made via the Trust’s crowdfunder page.
The Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030. Making more space for nature to become abundant once again will give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and also restore beautiful wild places - places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis. 30% is the bare minimum that nature needs to start recovering and Trusts are raising money across the UK.