Green Gates Nature Reserve Development Takes Shape with Community Support

Strategic Insights -

Volunteers from Qioptic, working in conjunction with the Denbighshire County Council and local organizations, have helped lay the foundation for a 70-acre nature reserve at Green Gates, St Asaph. This ambitious project aims to enhance local biodiversity and contribute to the UK's nature recovery goal. The Green Gates Nature Reserve development is part of the Council's response to protect and restore local nature habitats.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 500 trees have been planted as part of the nature reserve development, with species including Oak, Alder, Willow, Silver Birch, Wild Service, and Spindle.
  • The trees were grown from locally sourced seeds in the county at the Council's local provenance tree nursery located at Green Gates.
  • Ten volunteers from Qioptic joined others from Working Denbighshire and the tree nursery's volunteer community to plant the trees.
  • The Green Gates Nature Reserve development will feature restored ponds, new ponds, a wetland area, woodland, scrub, and grassland habitats, as well as a wildlife barn to support roosting bats and nesting birds.
  • The site has been identified by Natural Resources Wales as a potential Site of Special Scientific Interest for great crested newts.
  • An accessible permissive pathway and raised viewing area will be created to allow local residents to visit the site.
  • The project is funded by UK Government grant funding, Denbighshire's Climate and Nature Recovery Programme, and the Welsh Government through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project.
  • The development is part of the Council's response to protect and restore local nature habitats and contribute to the nature recovery goal.

Statistics:

  • 70-acre nature reserve being developed at Green Gates, St Asaph.
  • Over 500 trees planted as part of the nature reserve development.
  • Ten volunteers from Qioptic participated in planting the trees.
  • 10 volunteers from Working Denbighshire also participated.
  • 20 volunteers from the tree nursery's volunteer community participated.
  • UK Government grant funding being used to support the project.
  • Denbighshire's Climate and Nature Recovery Programme providing additional funding.
  • Welsh Government funding provided through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project.

Sources:

  • Denbighshire County Council
  • UK Government
  • Qioptic
  • Working Denbighshire
  • Welsh Government (Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project)
  • Natural Resources Wales