Nature is in crisis across the UK. The numbers of breeding birds, pollinators, and species in general have fallen rapidly in the last 50 years, and wildlife rich habitats are getting smaller, more disconnected and constantly under threat from human activity and climate breakdown. Although the Forest of Bowland is a protected landscape biodiversity is in decline here too.
As part of its action to support nature, designed as part of the new Forest of Bowland management plan, the Forest of Bowland is launching a new Community Nature Fund. You can find out more details and how to apply at https://www.forestofbowland.com/community-nature-fund
This fund will offer grants to local community groups who have plans to save and restore nature in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape area, and also those who want to provide opportunities for people to engage with and connect with nature in Bowland.
The National Landscape team for Bowland have been inspired to open this fund by people in the area who are already taking action for nature, like the Waddington Swift group and Community Pollinator Patches. They are also looking to fund projects such as Connecting People and Nature the health and wellbeing work of Burnley Football in the Community, Access the Dales and many others on the fringes of the National Landscape who organise activity for people who get so much out of nature-based day trips to Bowland.
Chris Taylor from Waddington told us: "I set up the Bowland Swift Group in response to concerns over the declining number of these iconic birds. Following a kick off meeting in Grindleton there has been great support from the local community. We have been supported and advised by Sarah at Forest of Bowland and also the fantastically enthusiastic Louise from Bolton and Bury Swift Group.
We now have a small team building our own boxes and assembling the boxes kindly donated by Forest of Bowland. Our installation team has installed over 40 swift boxes on homes in Sawley, Grindleton and West Bradford. Most of the boxes have been installed with callers that play the sound of swift calls. Swift callers have been shown to significantly increase the probability of swifts finding the boxes. We are also planning to start monitoring existing swift number and nest locations. Hopefully we can then see increases in the future.
We are the only swift group in the Forest of Bowland and going forwards we would like support other communities to maintain and hopefully increase swift numbers across the region."
Similarly, Community Pollinator Patches is a vibrant group of volunteers who, led by inspirational local resident Erica Sarney, plant native wildflowers and grasses on a landscape scale for wildlife. They have 're-wilded' roadside
verges and village open spaces in the lower Lune valley for several years, and in 2021 embarked on an ambitious project to improve Hermitage Field at the Crook o'Lune in Caton. Starting off with an area of rank grassland the site has been tended by volunteers growing wildflowers from seed and adding plug plants of many varieties until, as the photos show, it has become a community meadow full of colour and wildlife! With great support from the Public Realm team at Lancaster City Council and the Bowland Haytime project they have transformed this and many other sites for the benefit of nature and people.
Forest of Bowland Partnership Manager, Tony Lund said "We are very excited about this new fund and the opportunities it offers to supporting nature and communities in the Forest of Bowland. We hope to see many more fabulous ideas for projects come about as a result of this funding. The team are looking forward to seeing applications come in during July and are happy to offer advice and support if required: please get in touch with us!"
Media Contact:
For further information about the Fund please email cathy.hopley@lancashire.gov.uk or Daniel.holden@lancashire.gov.uk
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