Grant decisions were taken with the benefit of recommendations received from a specially-formed independent Advisory Group of biodiversity experts. These included representatives of BedsLife - Bedfordshire & Luton Biodiversity Partnership.
The successful groups and their projects were as follows:
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) - £22,700
BRCC’s project will make a major contribution to the emerging Bedfordshire and Luton Habitat Action Plan for ponds. It will restore and manage 20 existing ponds in Stotfold, Sandy, Henlow Common, Biggleswade, Maulden, Silsoe, Ampthill, Campton, Harlington, Flitton Moor, Chalgrave, and Leighton Buzzard. It will also create six new ponds at Stotfold Mill Meadows and at The Riddy in Sandy.
BTCV - £6,300
The grant will enable BTCV to lay, coppice and gap-up 400m of ancient and species-rich hedgerow at Rectory Farm in Cranfield. This will provide a more diverse habitat for birds, insects and mammals, including more effective continuous wildlife corridors.
Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) - £22,850
FWAG’s project will expand Maulden’s existing ancient and species-rich hedgerow network by 4km through a programme of planting and maintenance designed to contribute significantly both to biodiversity and landscape value.
Greensand Trust - £18,540
The grant will enable Greensand Trust to make a material contribution to the draft Bedfordshire and Luton Habitat Action Plan for traditional orchards. The project will create a new 50 tree orchard at Harrold Odell Country Park, tend to 5 recently planted orchards and enhance the ecological condition of the fruit trees in 3 others. Grafts of old locally-sourced traditional fruit trees will be taken to preserve the genetic diversity of increasingly rare varieties.
Heath and Reach Parish Council - £10,610
The group’s project will help restore and enhance the biodiversity value of Heath and Reach Cemetery. The Cemetery’s grassed areas will be restored and managed to provide improved habitat for wild flowers and insects, plus improved food sources for birds and bats. Local tree and hedge species will also be planted to improve overall habitat diversity.
National Trust - £14,000
The National Trust’s project will restore the chalk grassland of the roadside verges and adjacent former chalk pits at Sharpenhoe and Moleskin – within the Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The project site is home to a varied and important chalk grassland flora, but scrub invasion has affected both the area and quality of the habitat. This will be addressed through the project.
Woodland Trust - £5,000
The grant will enable the Woodland Trust to restore 6 ponds in Reynolds Wood, Brogborough, which includes the ancient semi-natural woodland of Holcot Wood. This will provide greater diversity of habitat for wildlife - particularly bats, great crested newts and invertebrates.
*All awards are subject to contract
