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The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a charity which aims to conserve wildlife and wild spaces in Lincolnshire. The Trust does this by owning or leasing valuable sites (nature reserves) and managing them for the benefit of the wildlife that lives there.

This is becoming more and more important as much of Lincolnshire’s natural habitat has been lost. The reserves include a wide range of habitats from woodland to wetlands and moors to marine sites, thus helping to preserve the variety of life – the biodiversity.

The Wildlife Trust aims to promote understanding and enjoyment of the natural world and the need to protect it. It is hoped that people visiting the reserves will enjoy their time there and appreciate the need for wild spaces both for people and the wildlife that live there.

By employing wardens and education officers the Trust can provide information and activities for visitors including school and community groups.

The nearest main reserve to Brigg is Far Ings Nature Reserve, one of a number of reserves along the banks of the River Humber.

Once a tile and cement works the site has now been a nature reserve for over 30 years.

The old clay pits have developed into large lakes and reedbeds providing a suitable home for many fish, insects and bird life. A number of very rare birds including the bittern ( seen below ), marsh harrier and bearded tit can be seen.

There are a number of pathways around the reserve which includes a walk along the banks of the River Humber. There are also seven bird hides that provide views across many of the reserves’ freshwater pits. At weekends the visitor centre is open with a viewing lounge upstairs and shop downstairs.

Other reserves in the north/north east Lincolnshire area include:

Crowle Moor NNR, in the Isle of Axholme covers over 400 acres of peatland with bog, birch scrub, heath flora and extensive sheep grazing enclosures keeping large areas free of invasive trees.

It is one of the finest peat bog sites in lowland England, with a wealth of bog and heath species including nightjar, tree pipit, cotton grasses, bog rosemary and the large heath butterfly. There is an extensive path network.

Epworth Turbary, Over 80 acres of relict peatland with open heath, bog and woodland habitats which support many scarce plants such as great fen sedge, meadow rue and cottongrass.

Messingham Sand Quarry, Over 100 acres of flooded sand quarries with fringing reedbeds, willows and grassland. A rich and varied site noted for its breeding birds as well as wintering wildfowl. There are three birdwatching hides and a well maintained network of footpaths.

Scotton Common, one of our largest heathland nature reserves (170 acres) with many uncommon species such as bog asphodel (see picture), marsh gentian and emperor moth. Adders and common lizards are often seen.

A large flock of Hebridean sheep and a herd of Dexter cattle are kept at Scotton to prevent the encroachment of birch and pine scrub on to the heath and to maintain the acid grasslands.

All our nature reserves are open to the general public, for more information please contact the general office on 01507 526667 or alternatively try our website www.lincstrust.org.uk

At present the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has over 20 000 members. If you would like to join contact 01507 526667.

On becoming a member you will receive:

· Entrance to over 100 reserves
· A wide range of events and activities are organised throughout the county.
· Lapwings and Natural World magazines
· Your chance to help the local countryside and preserve the animals and plants that live there.
· Join up your children and they will receive their own magazines and information about activities across the county.

Photo references

1) Far Ings Ness Pit – H. Hornby

2) Bittern – Roy Howell

3) Bog Asphodel - LWT

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT (ECAP).

We’re up and running and ready to talk to you!

In 2002 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) to employ four education officers responsible for implementing the new Education and Community Action Project (ECAP).

The education team has officers responsible for our four main heritage sites which include: Far Ings Nature Reserve, near Barton-upon-Humber, Gibraltar Point, near Skegness, Snipe Dales, near Spilsby and Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln.

Now almost two years into the project great things have been achieved working with schools and community groups both on and off site.

SCHOOLS

Thousands of school children have visited our reserves from all over the county and beyond. With experienced staff to lead groups the environmental activities are always fun as well as informative.

All activities have been designed to cover elements of the National Curriculum and QCA schemes of work. For example habitat and nature walks, pond dipping and minibeast hunting, plant and bird studies cover a wide range of the science curriculum for key stage one and two.

Waste and recycling activities can be used to cover specific areas of the PSHE and Citizenship Curriculum guidelines.

Older pupils are also catered for as there are a wide range of investigations including trophic energy transfer studies, succession, transect and sampling techniques.

The four main sites and all the activities that are on offer have all been assessed for risks. Risk assessments are available to assist with planning before a visit.

OUTREACH

The Education Officers are available to visit schools and community groups at their own base. A wide range of environmentally based activities including talks and slide shows, bird box building, team building games and nature trails are available. Activities can be arranged depending upon your group’s individual requirements and facilities.

RECREATIONAL GROUPS

Perhaps your group would like a change of scenery and would like to participate in something a little different.

All of the activities available to schools can be conducted informally to provide an interesting, exciting day out.
Guided walks encompassing the history, landscapes and wildlife of the reserves can be given by the wardens and education officers.

The Education Officer is available weekdays, evenings and weekends (by arrangement).

For more information and details of our charges please contact Hellen Hornby, Education Officer on 01652 637055. Alternatively email hhornby@lincstrust.co.uk

Photo references

4) Nunsthorpe School – D. Neve

5) Sleaford High School – M. Porter

6) Fairfield School – H. Hornby