A treasured local Nature Reserve is to be expanded to include a forgotten meadow area and new entrance that leads towards other nearby attractions.
The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country have secured over £40 000 of funding to continue their work in making Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood one of the most accessible nature reserves in the area. The forgotten meadow will not only be another beautiful area to visit on the reserve, but will also link it better to Sarehole Mill and the rest of The Shire Country Park. The project has been funded by Biffa Award, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.
Volunteers will be involved in creating walkways with permeable paths and natural materials through the new area of the reserve as well as doing conservation work that will bring this unloved and ignored part of the site up to the same standard as the rest of the reserve.
Chair of The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, Jack Wilson, says: “We are delighted that we have now secured the funding for this work that will make a big difference to local users of the site. We have already made much of Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood easy to access while still retaining its unique feel and to bring in another special area is great for local people and wildlife.
“We feel it is important that the other areas which need attention are opened up and the residents living around the Pensby Close entrance feel connected to the Reserve, too.”
Gillian French, Programme Manager of Biffa Award, said: “We are keen to support projects which improve access to reserves and woodland and encourage us to learn more about our natural environment. This project does both and the improvements will mean that more people will be able to enjoy the trail throughout the year.”
The Trust runs frequent events at Moseley Bog to teach people about the special features on the site, as well as helping them to learn more about the wildlife living there. For more information about Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood Nature Reserve or the work of The Wildlife Trust, email info@bbcwildlife.org.uk