← Well Wetlands project

The Well Wetlands project is about conserving and sharing the unique natural heritage of Nosterfield Nature Reserve.

The project has been focusing on two rare habitats:

• One dry, on an exposed area of limestone.

• The other wet, located around the lakes. 

While the habitats are very different, both are on land affected by quarrying. 

Giving nature a helping hand

For both of these habitats there are no similar sites in close proximity. This means it 's unlikely that plants would be able to establish naturally. 

That’s where we come in to help.

Our team of dedicated volunteers have carefully collected seeds from local donor sites to reestablish these two special habitats and help create havens for our local wildlife. 

To help with our efforts, the project has funded the establishment of a dedicated plant nursery and constructed a polytunnel. So far, 18,000 wetlands plants have been propagated on site!

Since the start of the project, 35 experimental plantings have been established. To help protect the new plants from wading birds, we’ve also installed 720 metres of protective fencing around these wet beds. 

Once established, these habitats will provide shelter, nesting grounds and feeding opportunities for a wide range of wetland birds.