Capital Projects on Nature Reserves

• to enhance Avon's natural heritage through general improvement work on the reserves, and contribute to the achievement of local biodiversity targets through projects focusing on specific habitats and species
• to provide better public access to the reserves with improved facilities such as paths and interpretation, and develop local community participation in reserve management
• to demonstrate best conservation practice to other landowners
• to enable the Trust to develop its reserve management and network of volunteer support to a more sustainable level

Some of the larger capital works which the HLF grant enabled the Trust to carry out:

• a wetland enhancement scheme at Littleton Brick Pits, involving major reedbed excavation, and the creation of three linear pools

• the development of a network of feeding 'corridors' for barn owls at Folly Farm - areas of long grassland along the field margins

• a programme of improvements to visitor facilities at Willsbridge Mill, including new signs, upgraded footpaths (developing wheelchair access) and seating

• the installation and repair of bat grilles on the mine entrances at Brown's Folly, to protect the populations of roosting greater horseshoe, lesser horseshoe and Daubenton's bats, as well as protecting historic features.

In addition to these major works, some of the more general project activities included:

• the production (or updating) of five-year management plans for each reserve

• a programme of species surveying and monitoring (including plants, invertebrates and mammals)

• the production of new interpretation boards for many of the reserves

The HLF grant also enabled the Trust to:

• employ two full-time members of staff to implement the capital works and volunteer programmes

• employ one part-time member of staff to develop schools outreach work on reserves

• purchase two new vehicles - a minibus and a 4WD pick-up

• purchase essential equipment and tools

• develop a programme of training for volunteers.

One of the main objectives of the project is to encourage more people to get involved in volunteering. This involves promoting existing groups (for example the Wildlife Action Group ) as well as developing new opportunities such as employee volunteering with local businesses. Local volunteers were being recruited to act as wardens for the reserves, helping to monitor and look after them. In return the HLF grant enabled the Trust to provide more support to its volunteers, for example through training in skills such as surveying, leading groups, first aid and minibus driving.

Reserve acquisitions

As well as supporting this programme of capital work on existing nature reserves, the Heritage Lottery Fund has also awarded the Trust major grants towards the purchase and management of seven new nature reserves: Walborough, Clapton Moor, Puxton Moor, Hellenge Hill, Weston Moor, Weston Big Wood and Burledge Hill.

So far over £1 million of lottery money has been spent on securing over 600 acres of the very best wetland, saltmarsh, limestone grassland and ancient woodland in Avon for the benefit of wildlife and people. It is hoped that funding will continue to be available from HLF to help safeguard Avon's natural heritage.