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Project
origins
The 'Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve' was formed
in 1998 with financial assistance from Nailsea Town Council and
North Somerset Council. The group's purpose is to manage, under
licence, the site of an in-filled Pennant Sandstone quarry in the
centre of Nailsea. Before the Friends were formed, the site had
been neglected for over 50 years and had become a repository for
urban rubbish, but also a haven for local wildlife.
Action
for biodiversity
Stockway North Nature Reserve now has a 20 cubic metre pond, with
resident frogs, newts and dragonflies. Many plant species have established
in a meadow area and native trees and shrubs have been planted,
adding to old oak trees around the perimeter of the site. 15 bird
nesting boxes and several bat boxes have been erected. So far, a
grand total of 176 plant species and 34 bird species have been recorded
on the site.
Relationships
to sustainable development
The local community is very involved in this project, which not
only enhances wildlife but also provides a resource for education.
The central location of the reserve means that the public can be
encouraged to take an interest in wildlife without having to travel
far.
Since its establishment many school groups and youth organisations
have visited the reserve. Young offenders, Duke of Edinburgh Award
students, Community Award groups and adults with educational difficulties
have all leant a hand in management the reserve. The site is open
to the public on work days and there are annual open days with conducted
tours. A disabled access pathway encircles the area. The pond dipping
platform encourages the interest of school parties and many of the
trees have their names displayed on labels, to encourage people
to recognise native species.
The Friends group also works off-site, giving talks and mounting
displays in the local school and public library. The Friends try
to demonstrate the need to conserve our natural environment in all
of their activities.
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