Enhancements to one of the North East’s oldest nature reserves are being given a boost with funding from Northumbrian Water.
Gosforth Nature Reserve in Newcastle was founded in 1929 and is managed by the Natural History Society of Northumbria, with support from volunteers.
A £2,000 grant from Northumbrian Water’s Branch Out environmental fund will help deliver the Society’s Wetland Tern Nesting Platform and Woodland and Wildflowers project, on the site at Salters Lane, Gosforth.
The funding will increase biodiversity on site by supporting wildflower planting and woodland habitat enhancements which is part of a ten-year vision to achieve the site’s potential to deliver benefits for wildlife, habitats and visitors.
Alongside these elements of the project the Society is also replacing a nesting platform for common terns which will add greater protection for chicks from predatory species such as otters.
Clare Freeman, Director of the Natural History Society of Northumbria, said: “Wildflowers for woodland and hedgerow are a priority for our management plan, so this funding will help us deliver that, along with great support from volunteers who will carry out the planting in Spring 2023. We are very grateful to Northumbrian Water for its support through the Branch Out fund, as this will really allow us to ensure we get the right species in place to help deliver on the huge potential of this historic and beautiful site.”
Stuart Pudney, Land and Conservation Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: “This is a fantastic project and it’s really exciting to see that it is volunteers who will be delivering these exciting enhancements to Gosforth Nature Reserve.
“We’re really pleased to be able to support the Natural History Society of Northumbria, and help them to deliver on their long term plans for the site.”
People can find out more about Branch Out, which welcomes applications for up to £25,000, at www.nwg.co.uk/responsibility/environment/branch-out-funds/branch-out/.