Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Encyclopedia
The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire
local partner in a conservation network of 47 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.
and a group of other local people with the shared interest of nature conservation. 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 HRH 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 HRH Prince of Wales visited the Midger SSSI reserve, being one of the woodland reserves in the county. In 1997 HRH Prince of Wales opened the Lower Woods SSSI Nature Reserve. In 1999 Chris Packham
launched an event on Cleeve Common hosted by the Trust, which involved geology work at Rolling Bank Quarry SSSI. 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.
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.
The Trust has 60 reserves throughout Gloucestershire
, covering a total of 866 hectares. The Trust issued a reserves handbook in 1979, which has been updated at intervals 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 and include 21 Sites of Special and Scientific Interest (SSSIs):
("BAP") controlled by the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership, which sets out conservation priorities in Gloucestershire. The Gloucestershire BAP is the local county interpretation of the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan
. The Trust is a member of this Partnership together with a wide range of organizations.
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.
programme since 2006.
The Gloucestershire Trust part of the programme has been the initiation of the Living Landscape project in the Severn Vale (2007) and one in the Cotswold (2009).
. 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
.
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
local partner in a conservation network of 47 Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts partnership
The Wildlife Trusts is an organisation made up of 47 local Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom plus the Isle of Man and Alderney.The Wildlife Trusts, between them, look after around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares...
. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
'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.
History
The Trust was founded in 1961 and was then named the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation. Founder members included Sir Peter ScottPeter Scott
Sir Peter Markham Scott, CH, CBE, DSC and Bar, MID, FRS, FZS, was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer and sportsman....
and a group of other local people with the shared interest of nature conservation. The name was changed to the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in 1991. In 1990 Lady Scott
Philippa Scott
Phillippa Scott, Lady Scott was a British champion of wildlife conservation and the widow of Sir Peter 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 HRH 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
David Attenborough
Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FZS, FSA is a British broadcaster and naturalist. His career as the face and voice of natural history programmes has endured for more than 50 years...
. In 1993 Sir Henry Elwes became the President following the late Lord Dulverton. In 1995 HRH Prince of Wales visited the Midger SSSI reserve, being one of the woodland reserves in the county. In 1997 HRH Prince of Wales opened the Lower Woods SSSI Nature Reserve. In 1999 Chris Packham
Chris Packham
Christopher George "Chris" Packham is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author. He is the brother of fashion designer, Jenny Packham...
launched an event on Cleeve Common hosted by the Trust, which involved geology work at Rolling Bank Quarry SSSI. In 2004 a Special 10 year award from 'Investors in People'
Investors in People
Launched in 1991 Investors in People is a business improvement tool administered by UK Commission for Employment and Skills and supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills ....
was achieved. In 2008 the Badgeworth SSSI nature reserve, the first reserve managed by the Trust, celebrated its 75th anniversary.
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 education 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.
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. The areas include woodlands, grasslands, heathlands, Scrub, Standing Water, Marshes, Bogs, Floodlands, Estuaries.The Trust has 60 reserves throughout Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, covering a total of 866 hectares. The Trust issued a reserves handbook in 1979, which has been updated at intervals 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
Natural England
Natural England is the non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved...
, which sets thresholds for 'favourable condition' status. Management Plans must be written for all nature reserves. The Trust's reserves are listed below and include 21 Sites of Special and Scientific Interest (SSSIs):
- Arle Grove
- Ashleworth Ham SSSI & Meerend ThicketAshleworth HamAshleworth Ham is a large area of grassland on the Severn floodplain, north of Ashleworth in Gloucestershire, England. It is registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Ashleworth Ham received this designation because it is one of three sites in the Severn Vale where migratory waterfowl...
- Badgeworth SSSIBadgeworth SSSI, GloucestershireBadgeworth SSSI is a 3.08 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954.It is one of only two sites in Britain where the Adder's-tongue Spearwort occurs; in Gloucestershire this species has acquired the name "Badgeworth buttercup" through its...
- Ban-y-Gor Woods SSSIWye ValleyThe Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales. It is one of the most dramatic and scenic landscape areas in southern Britain....
- Betty Daws Wood SSSI
- Brassey SSSI
- Bryworth Lane Railway
- Cannop Bridge Marsh, Cannop PondsCannop PondsCannop Ponds are two large ponds, just north of Parkend in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. The ponds, and surrounding area, are a popular tourist destination....
- Chaceley Meadow SSSI
- ChedworthChedworthChedworth is a village in Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds and best known as the location of Chedworth Roman Villa, administered since 1924 by the National Trust.- Roman villa :...
- Chosen Hill
- Clarke's Pool Meadow SSSI
- Collin Park Wood SSSI
- Coombe Hill Canal SSSI and MeadowsCoombe Hill CanalThe Coombe Hill Canal was a canal in Gloucestershire, south west England, that ran from Coombe Hill Basin to the River Severn near Wainlode Hill. It opened in 1796 and closed 80 years later in 1876, after the only lock was damaged by flooding...
- Cutsdean Quarry
- Daneway Banks SSSI
- East Wood
- Edgehills Bog
- Edward Richardson & Phyllis Amey
- Elliott (Swift's Hill) SSSI
- Five Acre Grove
- Foxes Bridge Bog
- Frith Wood (Morley Penistan Memorial)
- Greystones Farm (& Salmonsbury Meadows SSSI)
- Gwen and Vera's Fields
- Hobbs Quarry SSSI
- Ketford Banks
- Lancaut SSSILancautLancaut is a deserted village in Gloucestershire, England, located alongside the River Wye, around two miles north of Chepstow. It occupies a narrow-necked promontory formed by a curve of the river, which acts as the border between England and Wales. Little remains of the village today, except...
- Laymoor Quag
- Lippetts Grove (Offa's Dyke Path)
- Lower Woods SSSILower WoodsLower Woods is a 280.1 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966...
- Midger SSSIMidgerMidger is a 65.7 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest straddling the border of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966. It lies east of Hillesley, Gloucestershire and north of Hawkesbury Upton, South Gloucestershire....
- Mitcheldean Meend Marsh
- Oakenhill
- Old London Road SSSI
- Pasqueflower SSSIBarnsley WarrenBarnsley Warren is a 61.3 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. The site is also a Nature Conservation Review site...
- Plump Hill Dolomite Quarry
- Poulton Wood
- Ridley Bottom
- Robinson's Wood
- Sapperton Valley
- Siccaridge Wood
- Small Reserve
- Snow's Farm
- Spion Kop Quarry
- Stenders Quarry SSSI
- Strawberry BanksStrawberry BanksStrawberry Banks is a 5.06 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1993.The site supports a large population of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, and it is also one of the few sites in Britain at which the oil beetle Meloe rugosus occurs.This is a...
- Stuart Fawkes SSSI
- Three Groves Wood
- Vell Mill Daffodil Meadow
- Whelford Pools SSSI
- Wigpool
- Wimberry Quarries
- Wingmoor Farm Meadow
- Woorgreens Lake and Marsh & Crabtree Hill
- The Park Campus, University of GloucestershireUniversity of GloucestershireThe University of Gloucestershire is a university primarily based in Gloucestershire, England, spread over four campuses, three in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester...
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. The data are made publicly available. The Centre is managed by the Trust.Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership
Gloucestershire has a Biodiversity Action PlanBiodiversity Action Plan
A Biodiversity Action Plan is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity...
("BAP") controlled by the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership, which sets out conservation priorities in Gloucestershire. The Gloucestershire BAP is the local county interpretation of the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan
United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan
The United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan is the governmental response to the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in 1992. When the Biodiversity Action Plans were first published in 1994, the conservation of 391 species and 45 habitats was covered. 1,150 species and 65 habitats are...
. The Trust is a member of this Partnership together with a wide range of organizations.
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 700 sites in the county, 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. This work has been in the national The Wildlife TrustsThe Wildlife Trusts partnership
The Wildlife Trusts is an organisation made up of 47 local Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom plus the Isle of Man and Alderney.The Wildlife Trusts, between them, look after around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares...
programme since 2006.
The Gloucestershire Trust part of the programme has been the initiation of the Living Landscape project in the Severn Vale (2007) and one in the Cotswold (2009).
Former Nature Reserves managed under agreement
- Dowdeswell Reservoir and WoodDowdeswell ReservoirDowdeswell Reservoir and 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.-History:It is currently owned...
Campaigns
Water voles - A nationally threatened species 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. The water vole is on the list for action in the UK Biodiversity Action PlanUnited Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan
The United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan is the governmental response to the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in 1992. When the Biodiversity Action Plans were first published in 1994, the conservation of 391 species and 45 habitats was covered. 1,150 species and 65 habitats are...
. 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
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is a wildfowl and wetland conservation charity in the United Kingdom. Its patron is Queen Elizabeth II.It was founded in 1946 by the ornithologist and artist Sir Peter Scott, initially as the Severn Wildfowl Trust...
.
Publications
- Guy, C, Haigh, D, Harris, Lucy, Harris, Lyn, Parker, J, Ralphs, I, Tandy, C, (1977 edition edited Holland, S) et al, 1966, 1977, 2007 editions, 'Badgeworth Nature Reserve Handbook' Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
- 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'
- 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
- 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
- Ball, Arthur, Barber, Bruce, undated, 'The Birds of Dowdeswell Reservoir Nature Reserve', The Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
- Doe, J, Parrott, S, (edited McGlone, Dr. G, Regini, K), October 1989, ‘Gloucestershire Commons – Their History, Wildlife and Future’, Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation
- Field, J, Dixon G (illustrations), Doe J et al (photography), 2007, 'Managing land for water voles', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust,