Nature Reserves in the Test Valley
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Four designated Nature Reserves are located in the Test
Valley providing green spaces in which to walk and enjoy wildlife
in its natural habitat.
English Nature defines Local Nature Reserves (LNR's) as;
"Areas for both people and wildlife. They are places with
wildlife or geological features that are of special interest
locally, which people special opportunities to study and learn
about them or simply enjoy and have contact with nature".
The principle reasons for declaring sites as LNR's are:
- to help protect wildlife habitats and
natural features
- to increase peoples awareness and
enjoyment of their natural environment
- to provide an ideal environment for
everyone
- to learn about and study
nature
- to build relationships between local
authorities, national and local conservation organisations, and
local people.
The Wildtrek Trailer, a portable ecology laboratory, regularly
visits the sites and hundreds of school children from 14 local
schools have enjoyed educational visits in the last year. For
further information take a look at
www.5kingdoms.co.uk
Thanks to volunteers (over 1,250 hours last year alone), the
Countryside Officers have been able to:
- continue monitoring butterflies on all
sites
- check the grazing cattle at Anton Lakes
Nature Reserve
- build a raised walkway at Rooksbury
Mill Local Nature Reserve
- set up and support two "Friends of" groups
at Valley Park and Tadburn Meadows Local Nature
Reserves
- coppice one and a half hectares of hazel
at Zionshill Copse
- plant over 8,000 native trees in and
around Valley Park Woodlands
- create 2 new wildflower meadows at
Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve
- plant thousands of wildflower plugs to
attract native wildlife
- extend and enhance the network of
permissive footpaths
Two Test Valley Borough Council Countryside Officers manage
these sites and other open spaces in the Borough. If you would like
to get involved in the events or activities that are
organised in the nature reserves please contact the Countryside
Officers on 01264 368000 or email:leisure@testvalley.gov.uk