New Ferry Butterfly Park volunteer nets environmental award

Mar 3 2010 by Matt Hurst, Bromborough and Bebington News

NEW Ferry Butterfly Park’s Paul Loughnane scooped the Unilever Dragonfly Award for his environmental efforts across Wirral.

Honorary secretary of Wirral Countryside Volunteers for 16 years, Paul has been instrumental in the success of the Mersey Basin Campaign.

He will receive a £1,000 prize in recognition of his impact on environmental improvement projects.

Currently based at New Ferry Butterfly Park, Paul has been organising hedge laying days and scything parties to mow meadows, as well as the annual barbeque every August.

Paul said: “We have been mowing grasslands and raking up the cuttings for over a decade now.

“It is a long haul but we are seeing the fruits of our labour, as there are an increase in the number of cowslips in the spring and common sorrel, betony, meadow buttercup and red clover in the summer.

“Here at the park is an area of land previously used for antisocial behaviour which has now turned into a community asset.

“This microcosm admirably reflects the aims of the Mersey Basin Campaign which has helped to turn the Mersey from something neglected into an asset.”

As part of his work for the campaign, Paul has gained a massive 23 grants over the last 15 years.

This money and effort has been put towards pond restoration at Thornton Common, a site of biological importance, allowing wildlife such as longhorn and thick-legged flower beetles, as well as great crested newts, to benefit.

Work at Thornton Wood, a site of special scientific interest, has also seen bluebells and primroses flourish under a six year hazel coppice rotation programme, instigated by Paul.

He has even been heavily involved in raising the profile of woodland crafts and associated tools.

Paul added: “In our own small way we have an impact, and reflect the aspirations of the Mersey Basin Campaign.”