Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Stratford Town Trust and Stratford-on-Avon District Council have appointed Trust Nature Services Ltd, (a wholly owned subsidiary of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust), as partners to assist with the long-term management of the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve.

In 2023, the northern area of the 71-acre site was designated a Local Nature Reserve for the benefit of wildlife and the community, following consultation with Natural England. A 30-year Framework Landscape Ecological Management Plan (FLEMP) has been created for the site, allowing for further enhancement of habitats to increase and preserve biodiversity.

Sara Aspley, Chief Executive at Stratford Town Trust said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the team at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who will be instrumental in helping us to manage the site over the long-term. Their experience in protecting wildlife and wild places will aid the conservation of the existing biodiversity of the site and contribute to its future enhancement. They will also be leading our volunteer working parties, playing a vital role in involving and engaging communities to improve health and wellbeing."

Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "The appointment of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust will ensure that this area is properly managed and supported to provide local communities with an area of high-quality green space as well as protecting wildlife habitats, whilst helping us in enhancing the biodiversity within the District.

"As a District Council we are committed to deliver climate adaptation measures, which is part of our Council Plan and we have recently declared an ecological emergency to reinforce this ongoing work."

Karl Curtis, Director of Nature Reserves from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said: "We are looking forward to working in partnership to assist in the management of the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve. This is a key part of our work in identifying important habitats to enhance and conserve and to bring wildlife back. This is an important contribution to ensuring 30% of the county is in recovery for nature by 2030 and given its proximity to the town and to local schools, the site will welcome everyone as well as a place for people to take positive action for wildlife in their local environment."

To find out about volunteering opportunities at the nature reserve, visit: www.stratfordtowntrust.co.uk

Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve is a 71-acre site and part of The Stratford Riverside Project, to create a green corridor between Fisherman's Car Park and Lucy's Mill Bridge. It is a partnership between Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford Town Trust. Grant funding of £1.5 m was secured for the project from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership via the government's Getting Building Fund. In October 2023, the northern area was declared a Local Nature Reserve following consultation with Natural England.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is the leading local independent conservation organisation whose mission is to bring people closer to nature and create a land rich in wildlife.

Trust Nature Services Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and specialises in natural capital schemes (such as Biodiversity Net Gain) and the delivery of habitat creation, enhancement and management.