Conservation

One of the aims of this project is to enhance the biodiversity of the ravine. As the ravine was not managed over time, it was quickly becoming closed canopy woodland. This meant little light was reaching the forest floor or the pond, which limited how much life the site could support. 

We have worked with local arborists to improve the amount of light entering the ravine, as well as improving the safety of the trees around the boardwalk. This has opened up the site, allowing more light and wind to get to the forest floor and the pond. Both light and wind help to support the health of the pond; wind helps to oxygenate the pond and helps to 'push back' duckweed while light helps oxygenating plants to thrive and warms the water in spring. 

We have worked with a local wildlife pond company, Wild Waters, to enhance the health of the pond. When Wild Waters started working on the site, the pond was deoxygenated, covered in duckweed, full of methane and supported very little (if any!) life. Wild Waters have installed oxygenating rings to improve the amount of oxygen in the water, cleared duckweed and will soon be installing an erosion barrier (using natural materials) to help prevent the banks of the pond from eroding over time. 

Bat boxes and bird boxes of varying sizes have been installed around the ravine to provide homes for a range of birds and bats.