Wirral conservation projects awarded funding boost

Jan 6 2010 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Barn Owl Trust and The Friends of Caldy Nature Reserve are two of the beneficiaries of the latest Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership small projects grant scheme.

Grants of up to £1,000 have been awarded for wildlife and conservation projects in Cheshire and Wirral.

The funding aims to help species and habitats that are considered vulnerable or declining in the region and, in many cases, across the UK.

Wirral Barn Owl Trust will be awarded money for camera equipment and barn owl box material, while the Friends of Caldy Nature Reserve will have funding to create a pond at the reserve.

The BTCV have been awarded grants to help with for hedgerow work and orchard management at Norley Rural Skills Centre, and wetland habitat work near to Nantwich Riverside.

The Church Wood Conservation Group, Whitegate will be given support with hedgerow planting.

The grants will pay for costs of each project such as materials, research and surveys, habitat management, technical advice, on-site interpretation and training.

Sarah Bennett, Cheshire region Biodiversity Manager says: “The grants have been awarded to projects that will make a real difference for wildlife and biodiversity.

“People local to these projects will hopefully see the benefits of the work and if anyone would like to become more closely involved, these groups are always looking for volunteers!”

To find out more about the projects see www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk