East Lancashire Voluntary Sector Resource Centre
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
62 - 64 Yorkshire Street
Burnley
BB11 3BT

tel: 01282 704605
fax: 01282 704609

The East Lancashire Local Nature Reserve Project was developed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. The aim of the project is to raise awareness and promote the use of locally important wildlife sites through community involvement.

The basis of the project was an assessment of community nominated wildlife sites for possible declaration as Local Nature Reserves (LNR's). The report highlighted priority sites which then formed core locations for capital work and volunteer events. The report has also assisted other agencies and local authorities in planning their work and has contributed to writing numerous action plans and funding bids.

Current projects include:

Lowerhouse Lodges LNR, Burnley

This is a partnership project with the Wildlife Trust working with Gawthorpe Environmental Movement, Burnley Borough Council, Burnley & Pendle Anglers and local residents. Through a series of volunteer days 700 metres of hedgerow is being restored, 7ha of hay meadow brought into management, 1ha of woodland enhanced and numerous wildlife surveys carried out.

Capital improvements are being made by upgrading footpaths and restoring water to the upper lodge. The project has also developed a new steering group made up of existing agencies and members of the community to continue managing the reserve once the present project funding has come to an end.

Click here for further information about Lowerhouse Lodges LNR

Greenfield Road LNR, Colne

Through grants from the Lancashire Environmental Fund and Pendle's Canal Corridor, improvements have been made to footpaths and new interpretation boards produced.

The Trust has worked closely with Pond Conservation and the local New Deal team to create a small community group to help manage the reserve. The group is administered by the Trust. This approach has created an impressive list of achievements. The capital improvements over the last 18 months have made the reserve suitable for school and community groups to make use of the area for education and informal recreation. The Trust's education team now makes regular use of the reserve with local schools.

Activities have been organised to attract those who wouldn't normally visit an LNR through events such as origami sessions, Halloween events and health walks.

The East Lancashire LNR project works on a partnership basis. There is a large number of voluntary, community and statutory organisations working across the region. Through working together, awareness of local nature reserves and their potential has been greatly increased. Many nature reserves in East Lancashire have existing community groups. We aim to work with these groups to provide support and advice where needed.

The East Lancs LNR Project is an on-going project and is an excellent way to develop the smaller projects running in individual boroughs. The initiative has made a significant impact in the short time it has been running and has the potential to develop into a major project across the region.

Click here for further information about Greenfield Road LNR

Andrew Laycock
East Lancashire Local Nature Reserve Officer
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
East Lancashire Voluntary Sector Resource Centre
62 - 64 Yorkshire Street
Burnley
BB11 3BT

tel: 01282 704 605
mob: 07795 017315
email: alaycock@lancswt.org.uk