Local Nature Reserves

Help make your local green space a better place for people and wildlife

What are Local Nature Reserves?

A Local Nature Reserve or LNR is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by principal local authorities in England , Scotland and Wales . Local Nature Reserves are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. In effect they are areas of green space managed for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

The Project

North Warwickshire currently has no designated Local Nature Reserves. North Warwickshire Borough Council is working with a number of organisations to find funding for a project which will improve 5 existing green space sites with the aim of creating Local Nature Reserves.

There will be lots of chances for people to get involved with the project, both by deciding how their local site is developed and by taking part in activities. The goal will be to create sites which are used, managed and valued by the surrounding communities and which provide valuable habitats, increased biodiversity and learning opportunities.

Activity days will take place on the sites. For example bush craft activities, wild play, den building, butterfly and bat walks. There will also be opportunities to take part in the practical conservation and improvement work which will transform the space into a Local Nature Reserve. The project will also deliver some activities specifically for young people with the chance for them to receive recognition for their achievements through the John Muir Award Scheme.

The project will be run in partnership, with a steering group made up of North Warwickshire Borough Council, Groundwork Coventry and Warwickshire, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Other organisations will be involved with specific activities or in certain areas. For example, the project is also supported by the Warwickshire Butterfly Conservation Group , the Environment Agency , North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and ReVOLve (a local youth volunteering organisation).

The Sites

The sites we want to develop as Local Nature Reserves as part of this project are:

• Kingsbury - Linear Park (off Coventry Road)
• Atherstone - Riverside (off Carlyon Road)
• Polesworth - Abbey Green Park (river Anker area)
• Coleshill - Cole End Park (part)
• New Arley - Dafferns Wood

Making it Happen

In order to be able to deliver everything described above, the project steering group will be applying for funding for the project. To help with this process we'd like as much feedback as possible. If you currently use one of these sites or think you would use it if it were a better place to appreciate nature or easier to walk around then please take part in our consultation.

The questionnaire can be completed online here.

If you think you would be interested in being part of a group who would make decisions about improvements to one of the sites or if you have further questions or information then please contact lcdd@northwarks.gov.uk.

If funding is successfully secured, the project will run from Autumn 2009 to Spring 2013. If we are not successful with our current funding bid then we will be looking for other opportunities to finance the development of Local Nature Reserves in the area. Either way your input will be invaluable.