Appeal heads for natural success - The Malvern Observer

Appeal heads for natural success

Malvern Editorial 15th Mar, 2015 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

MORE than £60,000 has been raised in the first three weeks of a campaign to secure the long-term future of the Blackhouse Wood nature reserve, near Alfrick.

The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT), behind the drive, is hoping to hit the £200,000 target at the end of August.

The 38.5 hectare woodlland, home to a variety of wildlife, has the potential to create one of the most important ecologically valuable areas in Worcestershire.

The full cost of the woodland revamp will be £400,000, but after putting down a deposit last year, thanks to donations left in wills by supporters, the trust negotiated a 12-month period to find the rest of the cash.




WWT director Colin Raven said he wanted to thank everyone who had donated to the appeal, adding to raise so much in such a short space of time was amazing.

“It demonstrates just how strongly people feel about helping to protect our wonderful countryside.


“Our appeal has got off to an amazing start but there’s still a long way to go.

“We’re hoping to raise the remaining £200,000 from individual donations and grants.

“Blackhouse Wood has had a mixed past and the current owner has made a good start on the long process of restoration,” he added.

In the 1960s, many of the wood’s native trees were cleared to make way for fast-growning conifers and it was managed as a commercial plantation.

Proior to that, a small-scale quarrying operation took place on the site. That was a blessing in disguise as the access difficulties to the hand-dug quarries led to the survival of the older and more interesting species.

As part of the work, the WWT will remove most non-native trees, replacing them with oaks and field maples, and old hornbeam and veteran lime stools will be coppiced to extend their lives. Pathways and glades will be widened and created to ensure enough light can reach the woodland floor. That will enable plants to grow to support butterflies, bees and other insects.

Crews Hill, next to Blackhouse Wood, is home to dormice and, because of this, the trust will install dormice at Blackhouse Wood while the natural habitat recovers.

But, Colin added, for the site to fulfil its true wildlife potential, it does need a new owner to secure its long-term future recovery as a wildlife-rich woodland.

Those wanting more information should visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/backtolife or call 01905 754919.

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