Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

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Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Formation1961
TypeMembership organisation governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, a Registered Charity and a company limited by guarantee
Headquarters Robinswood Hill Country Park, Reservoir Road, Gloucester GL4 6SX
Membership
26,500+ [1] [2] (UK)
Chief Executive
Roger Mortlock, formerly Dr. Gordon McGlone OBE [3]
Key people
President: Ellie Harrison Chairman: David Bullock, formerly Francis Rundall [4]
Staff
over 40 and over 500 active volunteers [1]
Website gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk
Gloucestershire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Robinswood Hill Country Park
Robinswood Hill Country Park, Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Headquarters location)

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is managed by a board of trustees elected from its membership who provide overall direction for the development of the trust and there are advisory committees. The work of the trust is carried out through staff and volunteers.

Contents

History

The trust was founded in 1961 and was then named the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation. [5] Founder members included Sir Peter Scott, Christopher Cadbury and a group of other local people with the shared interest of nature conservation. [6] The name was changed to the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in 1991. In 1990 Lady Scott became the trust's patron succeeding her late husband, Sir Peter Scott. Originally the trust headquarters was at Church House, Standish, which was opened in 1971. By that year 33 nature reserves were under trust management. In 1989 the Prince of Wales was present at the launch of the appeal for funding for the proposed new nature centre, which was held in Shire Hall, Gloucester. In 1992 a new headquarters and Conservation Centre was opened at Robinswood Hill Country Park by Sir David Attenborough. In 1993 Sir Henry Elwes became the president following the late Lord Dulverton. In 1995 the Prince of Wales visited the Midger SSSI reserve, being one of the woodland reserves in the county. In 1997 the Prince of Wales opened the Lower Woods SSSI Nature Reserve. In 1999 Chris Packham launched an event on Cleeve Common [7] hosted by the trust, which involved geological work at Rolling Bank Quarry SSSI. [8] In 2004 a special 10-year award from 'Investors in People' was achieved. In 2008 the Badgeworth SSSI nature reserve, the first reserve managed by the trust, celebrated its 75th anniversary. In 2012 this reserve celebrated its 50th anniversary of being managed by the trust.

In December 2014, Ellie Harrison the host of Countryfile became president of the trust taking over from Sir Henry Elwes. [9]

Activities

The trust's work includes recording and studying places and objects of natural interest and establishing nature reserves. It undertakes research in the natural sciences, and provides educational material for the public in sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. It operates a schools' programme for over 2,000 children each year. It campaigns for wildlife and protection of threatened habitats and species. It holds events at its headquarters or on its reserves. It is involved in recycling, waste management and promoting sustainable practices. It advises landowners and local authorities.

The trust publishes a regular printed magazine to keep people informed, and maintains a subscription list for a regular electronic newsletter. The printed magazine was 'Highly Commended' in the BBC Wildlife Magazine Awards for the Best UK Environmental Charity Publications in 1997. [10]

Nature reserves

Gloucestershire is varied in scenery due to the geology. It is also a mainly agricultural county and can be divided into four distinct regions being: the Cotswolds; The Severn Vale; Over Severn and the Forest of Dean. [11] The areas include woodlands, grasslands, heathlands, scrub, standing water, marshes, bogs, floodlands, estuaries.

The trust has over 45 reserves throughout Gloucestershire, covering some 700 hectares or more. [12] The trust issued a reserves handbook in 1979, which has been updated at intervals [13] with a supporting publication for 2009/2010 [14] and for 2011 for the 50th Anniversary of the trust. [15] These reserves are either purchased or managed under agreement. The value of these reserves in respect of special and rare species is defined through national standards, and particularly through Natural England, which sets thresholds for 'favourable condition' status. Management Plans must be written for all nature reserves. The trust's reserves are listed below [16] and include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs):

Elliot SSSI (Swift's Hill) nature reserve The Vatch from Swifts Hill - geograph.org.uk - 217563.jpg
Elliot SSSI (Swift's Hill) nature reserve
Greystones Farm nature reserve (including Salmonsbury Meadows SSSI) Greystone Farm Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 233609.jpg
Greystones Farm nature reserve (including Salmonsbury Meadows SSSI)
Bird Hide at Coombe Hill nature reserve Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows 7.jpg
Bird Hide at Coombe Hill nature reserve
Badgeworth buttercup flowering in reserve Badgeworth buttercup reserve walkways.jpg
Badgeworth buttercup flowering in reserve
Gateway and path, Lower Woods nature Reserve Gateway and path, Lower Woods Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 486862.jpg
Gateway and path, Lower Woods nature Reserve
Woorgreen's Lake, Forest of Dean nature reserve Worgreen Lake, Forest of Dean - geograph.org.uk - 1032287.jpg
Woorgreen's Lake, Forest of Dean nature reserve

Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental records

Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records (GCER) is the county's Local Record Centre and holds data about the county's wildlife. GCER has approximately 1,000,000 species records in its database, many of these are supplied by the county recorders from the Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society. [31] The data are made publicly available. The centre is managed by the trust. In March 2011 the trust and the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records published its 'State of the Natural Environment Report' on behalf of the Gloucestershire Environmental Partnership (authors: Dr C Studholme, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust; Linda Moore, Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records). [32] In 2012 the trust published its report on the 'State of the Environment in Gloucestershire' about brownfield land. [33]

Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership

Gloucestershire has a Biodiversity Action Plan ("BAP") controlled by the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership, which sets out conservation priorities in Gloucestershire. [34] The Gloucestershire BAP is the local county interpretation of the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (1992–2012). The trust is a member of this Partnership together with a wide range of organisations. [35]

The Nature Map for Gloucestershire was launched in March 2008 by the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership. The Gloucestershire Nature Map is part of a larger map covering the whole of the south west region. It locates the major habitats in the county, identifies the 'hotspots' where they still exist, and thus where they can best be created, enhanced, or restored to establish larger and more viable areas to sustain wildlife for the future. These target areas are called Strategic Nature Areas (SNAs) and the aim is to restore up to 60% of each SNA to good quality wildlife habitat.

Key Wildlife Sites network

A Wildlife Sites network currently includes over some 800 sites in the county, [36] which are considered the best places for wildlife to develop. These sites are in addition to Trust nature reserves. This list is maintained by the trust.

Living Landscapes

A Living Landscape is a recovery plan for nature. [37] This work has been in the national The Wildlife Trusts programme since 2006.

The Gloucestershire Trust part of the programme has been the initiation of the Living Landscape project in the Severn Vale (2007), [38] the Cotswolds Rivers project (2009) and a project centred on the Forest of Dean (2011). [39]

Former Nature Reserves and reserves managed under agreement

Campaigns

Water voles – A nationally threatened species [41] once common on rivers and streams. In Gloucestershire water voles have disappeared from the river systems and a few fragmented populations survive. The trust provides information to identify a water vole and the land management necessary to support habitat. [42] The water vole is on the list for action in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The trust carried out a survey in 1978/79 on rivers and streams in the county. A further survey was started in March 1997 in conjunction with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The trust published the results of the 1997/98 survey in 2001. [43] This is reported in the Biodiversity Action Plan for Gloucestershire. [44]

Publications

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cotswold Water Park</span> Lake system and park in England

The Cotswold Water Park is the United Kingdom's largest marl lake system, straddling the Wiltshire–Gloucestershire border, north-west of Cricklade and south of Cirencester. There are 180 lakes, spread over 42 square miles (110 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Woods</span>

Lower Woods is a 280.1-hectare (692-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a 284.1-hectare (702-acre) site. The site is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midger</span>

Midger is a 65.7-hectare (162-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest straddling the border of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1984. Since the last revision in 1974, the size has been reduced to a 56-hectare (140-acre) site. It lies east of Hillesley, Gloucestershire and north of Hawkesbury Upton, South Gloucestershire. It is at the head of the Kilcott Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strawberry Banks</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Strawberry Banks is a 5.06-hectare (12.5-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dowdeswell Reservoir</span>

Dowdeswell Reservoir and former water treatment works lie below the parish of Dowdeswell in Gloucestershire. They were originally built by Cheltenham Corporation to supply the town of Cheltenham with drinking water and subsequently became part of the Severn Trent network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brassey SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Brassey is a 2.1-hectare (5.2-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified in 1983. It is situated on the north side of the Windrush Valley, midway between Naunton and Upper Slaughter. The reserve comprises sloping, unimproved limestone pasture. There is a fast-flowing stream. This site is one of the few freshwater marshes in Gloucestershire. The stream joins the River Windrush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daneway Banks SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Daneway Banks is a 17-hectare (42-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified in 1983. It lies half a mile west of Sapperton and is part of a group of wildlife sites in the Frome Valley that includes Siccaridge Wood and Sapperton Canal reserves. The site is in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wotton Hill</span> Hill in Gloucestershire, England

Wotton Hill is a hill on the edge of the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, England, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) north of Wotton-under-Edge. The Cotswold Way passes over the hill.

Lower Wye Gorge is a 65-hectare (160-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified 1987. The site includes two Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves being Ban-y-gor Wood and Lancaut. The Natural England citation states a revision for Lancaut inclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dymock Woods SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Dymock Woods is a 53-hectare (130-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1990. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobbs Quarry SSSI, Longhope</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire

Hobbs Quarry, Longhope is a 1-hectare (2.5-acre) geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1966. It is situated midway between Longhope and Dursley Cross in the Forest of Dean. Adjacent woods are Kiln Wood and Coleman's Wood. The site was managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Ownership changed to an independent Charitable Trust - Hobbs Nature Reserve Trust - on 1 August 2023. The Management Plan is similar to the one GWT had agreed with Natural England, combining conservation and research work on the geological exposures and preservation of the valuable natural environment. An explanatory website is under development to aid any groups planning educational visits. Local specialists are available to assist with these if required.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collinpark Wood SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Collinpark Wood is a 66.69-hectare (164.8-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1966, revised in 1974 and renotified in 1983. There was a boundary change in 1983. There are seven units of assessment. Unit 1 is a 15-hectare (37-acre) area owned and managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The trust purchased this part of the wood in 1979 with grant aid from WWF. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swift's Hill SSSI</span> Geological site in England

Swift's Hill is a 9.15-hectare (22.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salmonsbury Meadows SSSI</span> English Site of Special Scientific Interest

Salmonsbury Meadows is an 18-hectare (44-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1985. The site is listed in the 'Cotswold District' Local Plan 2001-2011 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill is a 42.33-hectare (104.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as an SSSI and Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire

Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake is a 56.8-hectare (140-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lineover Wood</span>

Lineover Wood is a 20.3-hectare (50-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chedworth Nature Reserve</span>

Chedworth Nature Reserve is a 6-hectare (15-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the 'Cotswold District' Local Plan 2001-2011 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siccaridge Wood</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Siccaridge Wood is a 26.6-hectare (66-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

References

  1. 1 2 Annual Review 2011/12 Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  2. This equates to approximately 4.5% of the county administered by Gloucestershire County Council, which publishes key facts from the Office for National Statistics. Gloucestershire County Council web site population facts This equates to approximately 3.1% of the combined administration authorities of Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire County Council website 2009 mid year estimates Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine . The ceremonial county of Gloucestershire includes South Gloucestershire. South Gloucestershire Council Population Statistics ONS 2010 Mid-year population estimates Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Gordon leaves on a high", Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, 31 January 2013
  4. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust web site information on Trustees
  5. Annual Reports of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Wildlife News (Trust magazine) and the Trust website
  6. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust timeline which includes a photograph of the historic occasion
  7. Doe, J, Parrott, S, (edited McGlone, Dr. G, Regini, K), October 1989, 'Gloucestershire Commons – Their History, Wildlife and Future', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  8. "Natural England website – Rolling Bank Quarry SSSI". Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  9. "Countryfile host Ellie Harrison is Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust president". BBC News. 3 December 2014.
  10. Listed and reported in the BBC Wildlife Magazine (September 1997) and reported in Wildlife News Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust magazine (Autumn 1997)
  11. Bathe, G M, Bell, T, Nicholls, S P, Nicholls, M, Raffe, R W, et al (editors McGlone, Dr. G, Sparrow, Brig. C E H, Worsnip, H), April 1981, ‘Wildlife in Gloucestershire – A Habitat Survey’, Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  12. Information on Trust reserves
  13. Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al, 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
  14. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves Guide 2009/2010
  15. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve Guide (January 2011)
  16. Gloucestershire Nature Reserves Index
  17. Guy, C, Haigh, D, Harris, Lucy, Harris, Lyn, Parker, J, Ralphs, I, Tandy, C, (1977 edition edited Holland, S) et al, 1966, 1967, 1977, 2007 editions, 'Badgeworth Nature Reserve Handbook' Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  18. 1977, 'The Brassey Nature Reserve – Descriptive Handbook', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  19. 1986, 'Chedworth Nature Reserve: Booklet 1, Introduction', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  20. 1991, 'Plants and Animals of the Edward Richardson and Phyllis Amey Nature Reserve', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  21. Historic England. "Reserve includes listed ancient monument of an Iron Age fortified enclosure known as Salmonsbury Camp (1017340)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  22. Laurie Lee Wood description
  23. Martin M (editor), 1996, 2004 (revised second edition), 'Lower Woods Nature Reserve – A Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  24. Martin M, Rowlatt, S (editors), 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods in 2000 AD', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, (includes list of contributors)
  25. (undated), mid-late 1980s, 'Midger Reserve Kilcot', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  26. 1981, revised 1985, 'Mythe Railway Nature Reserve', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  27. Pulsatilla vulgaris species link that references Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve
  28. 1 2 1995, "A Wildlife Guide – Siccaridge Wood and Sapperton Valley Nature Reserve', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  29. (undated), 'Snow's Farm Reserve Handbook', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  30. The Park & Poor's Allotment description
  31. "Gloucestershire Naturalists' website". Archived from the original on 24 December 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2010.
  32. "Moore, L, Studholme, C, 'State of the Natural Environment Report', March 2011, prepared for the Gloucestershire Environment Partnership by Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust". Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  33. "Studholme, C, 'The State of the Natural Environment in Gloucestershire 2012', July 2012, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust". Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  34. "Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership website". Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  35. "Partnership list". Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  36. Key Wildlife Sites information
  37. A Living Landscape, The Wildlife Trusts
  38. Commended in the Living Wetlands Award presented by The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) 2012
  39. "Living Landscapes based on Gloucestershire's nature map". Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  40. Atty, D, Haigh, D J R, Holland, Sonia, Long, D C, Porter, Steve (edited Miller, John, illustrated Ball, Arthur), October 1987, 'Plants and Animals of the Dowdeswell Reservoir Nature Reserve', Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation and Ball, Arthur, Barber, Bruce, undated, 'The Birds of Dowdeswell Reservoir Nature Reserve', The Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
  41. Strachan, C, Strachan, R, and Jefferies, D J, 2003, 'The water vole and mink survey of England, Scotland and Wales 1996–1998', pages 22–79 in Jefferies, D J, editor, 'The water vole and mink survey of Britain 1996–1998 with a history of long term changes in the status of both species and their causes', The Vincent Wildlife Trust, Ledbury.
  42. Field, J, 2009, 'Managing land for water voles', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  43. 2001(published),'Gloucestershire Water Vole Survey (1997/98)', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  44. "Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership – Water Vole status report". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  45. "Natural England SSSI selection point". Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2012.

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