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Bedfordshire
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough
We have many projects for wildlife and communities in Bedfordshire. Here are two examples of our work and how we are achieving the Big Vision here.
Flit Valley Vision
Project Summary: The Wildlife Trust is working to safeguard some of Bedfordshire's most important wildlife areas. We are working with partners to link riverside habitats for threatened wildlife, like otters, and are helping local people to explore and enjoy this beautiful area.
Area: Along the River Flit between Toddington and Shefford
Habitats: Wet woodlands, riverbanks, wet meadows
Key species: Lapwing, otter, water vole
Lush, buzzing meadows with pockets of wet woodland used to line the banks of the River Flit, which begins near Luton and flows towards Sandy. Farming improvements and development have sadly destroyed many of these historic wildlife habitats, leading to the loss of many plants and animals.
The local Wildlife Trust has formed a partnership with other local organisations to protect what is left, enhance and restore habitats for wildlife, and create connected riverside habitats through which wildlife can move and people can explore.
The Wildlife Trust is working to protect key pieces in the jigsaw. In March 2007, we were able to purchase land to secure the vibrant Fancott Wood and Meadows near Toddington, which is carpeted with wildflowers during the summer months. Folly Wood, near Flitwick, home to the elusive water rail, is one of the most important sites for wildlife in Bedfordshire. With local help, The Wildlife Trust is aiming to purchase and safeguard the site this year.
Totternhoe Quarry Project
Project Summary: Three of our wildlife rich meadows are almost in sight of each other. The Wildlife Trust is working to link these reserves, increase numbers of rare butterflies and other species and help them to move freely between nature reserves.
Area: Totternhoe, near Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable
Habitats: Flower-rich meadows
Key species: Several species of orchid; rare butterflies such as Duke of Burgundy and chalkhill blue
Sometimes, man's activity can produce real benefits for wildlife. The former and existing chalk quarry sites at Totternhoe have created stunning wildlife habitats full of all sorts of species, including many different wild orchids and some beautiful butterflies, such as the rare Duke of Burgundy.
Local people and businesses helped the Wildlife Trust save Totternhoe Quarry in 2005. The new nature reserve has become a stunning haven for both people and wildlife.
The Trust plans to reconnect the new site with existing nature reserves at Totternhoe Knolls and Sewell Cutting, to enable the rare species to move about and inhabit new areas. This will make them less likely to be lost due to chance events, such as severe weather. Many local people have been involved in monitoring the rarer species at these sites and carrying out some cutting edge science, to discover the requirements of Duke of Burgundy and chalkhill blue butterflies, both of which thrive in the dazzling, flower-rich grasslands.
Make Smart Savings now:
Find out more about The Wildlife Trusts work across the Eastern Region: Our Big Vision
Find out what's happening in:
Visit the website of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough.
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