Huge support for bid to double West Midlands ancient woodland reserve

Staff at the county’s largest conservation charity have been overwhelmed by the generosity of their supporters.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is raising funds to double the size of their Trench Wood nature reserve at Sale Green near Droitwich Spa. The Trust has so far raised over £889,000 of a £958,000 target, leaving them just short of £69,000 to realise the purchase.

Trench Wood is one of the county’s richest ancient woodlands with wildflower glades and winding paths. It is a refuge for many species of wildlife including rare Bechstein’s bats, brown hairstreak butterflies and aspen leaf-rolling weevils.

The Trust has the chance to buy 45 hectares, doubling the size of their current nature reserve and further connecting habitats across the landscape. As well as woodland, the land includes a meadow, semi-improved grassland, former arable fields and hedgerows.

Steve Bloomfield, the Trust’s head of conservation, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to double the size of an important and much-loved nature reserve as well as increase connectivity for wildlife in the area.

“Given the extreme heat we’ve had this year, and the changes to our weather that climate change is causing, it’s so important that we’re able to make places like Trench Wood even more resilient. Being able to provide more tree canopy that offers shade for wildlife, ponds to supply water and more habitats to give shelter to species moving through the landscape is vitally important.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far, whether individuals, organisations, trusts and foundations or those who have left gifts to the Trust in their wills.”

The Trust aims to restore wildflower-rich meadows, protect and improve existing woodland habitats, reinstate woodland pasture and create ponds, glades and woodland edge habitats.

Trench Wood nature reserve is owned by the Trust and managed in conjunction with Butterfly Conservation.

Steve added: “Buying this land will help us to create more space for wildlife to move through, feed, breed and thrive.

“The expanded reserve will also offer opportunities for people to enjoy and connect with nature, whether through visiting, volunteering or learning.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more or to help the Trust reach their target can donate on their website www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk