Charlotte Burke, the Land, Outdoors and Nature Participation Officer at National Trust Holnicote Estate has written with Nature News from the Holnicote Estate, including a special, free event, Holnicote Nature Night on the 18th September:
On The Holnicote Estate we have several projects that bring benefits to local nature and people. One of these projects named, Riverlands is entering a new phase, affectionately known for the first family of beavers to be born on Exmoor in 400 years and the pioneering Stage Zero river restoration project on the River Aller. A new surge of work is underway, named, Freshwater Renaissance, we are one of five river catchments nationwide to secure funding to restore, reconnect and create space for water and wildlife on and beyond the Holnicote Estate. We will be reconnecting saltwater habitats with freshwater habitats and new access routes will be created. We will employ nature-based solutions, such as creating new ponds and leaky dams to help slow the flow of water on the Estate, reducing flooding to nearby areas and creating habitat and cleaner water, full of life.
Over the past 5 years the ranger teams have created space for water habitat on the Estate and this project is an extension of that work. More and better joined up freshwater habitats will see the return of wildlife that relies on freshwater species, such as small mammals and majestic raptors. The work we do with water is intricately linked to our tree planting, hedgerow management and the creation of new orchards and wildflowers habitats.
This work is one of many conservation projects happening and to find out more about our newest and latest work, including our long-term vision for the Estate and a look at our Peatlands project, we’d like to invite you to Holnicote Nature Night. We will show the feature documentary film, ‘Six Inches of Soil’ and a complimentary buffet will be on offer for all our guests, all we ask is for you to book in advance, on the National Trust Website. For those that haven’t yet had a-go on the Virtual Reality headsets, we will have this available and other interactive exhibits available for you to get involved in, and of course a chance to put your questions to the team.
Another aspect of this new work is that I will be working closely with Tivington Farm School and local communities on water, wildlife and farming in the environment. The aim is that local people play a key role in this exciting work and there will be opportunities to work with us to bring space for nature and water into your local area too.
This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
If you are interested to hear more, volunteer with us, come to one of our conservation drop-in days, or have ideas to share, I would love to hear from you.
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