We have had a busy first year and the Management Group, which

is a sub-group of the Darley Abbey Society, recently held its 4th

meeting. A formal application has been made to Natural England for designation as a Local Nature Reserve, and we hope to hear from them soon.

Recent visitors to the site have included a group of ecologists from around the UK, and Emma Dagless from Natural England. All remarked on the wide range of habitats found on the site.

We have given further thought to prioritising work on the site, based on the agreed management plan, and the feasibility of each task has been considered in terms of cost and the workforce needed.

We are now seeking funding for several projects – even using volunteers from BTCV has a cost – and wait to hear if any have been successful.

One of these, “My Space! Our Space!” supports young people in an environmental project – in this case to improve the path giving access to the north end of the reserve from South Avenue, across the small stream.

We have established links with the Barn educational project, and

Groundwork Derby, and will be showing their leaders around in the New Year.

Our first attempt at scrub clearance at the north end of the site succeeded in cutting 2 “rides” into the dense hawthorn with the aim of encouraging nesting birds. This was achieved through the hard work of 7 local volunteers, using equipment provided by BTCV. We hope to repeat this exercise in another area of the site next year.

Please note that we will be holding an Open Meeting at 7.30pm on Friday 7th March 2008 in the Village Hall, Darley Abbey. This is your opportunity to learn more about the nature reserve, and to air your views about the future care and conservation of this important wildlife site. Admission is free.

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