Watchtree nature reserve -creation of an independent trust

Proposals for the creation of an independent Trust to run the nature reserve at the former foot-and-mouth disease burial site at Watchtree, Cumbria, were unveiled by Defra today.

The Department is looking for between six and nine local trustees to take over the day-to- day management of the 60-acre site, although Defra will continue to have overall ownership of Watchtree.

The specific objectives of the project are:

* the creation of a haven for endangered wildlife, including red

squirrels, birds, butterflies, wildflowers and newts

* the development of a landscape and the re-creation of habitats to

enhance the richness and diversity of species by providing three

distinct natural environments: trees and scrubland; meadows and

hedges; and ponds and wetlands

* the encouragement and establishment within the site of a wide

variety of wildlife in accordance with the Cumbria Biodiversity

Action Plan objectives

* the provision for the local community, educational bodies and the

wider public with an important ongoing natural resource and

amenity.

Nature conservation Minister Ben Bradshaw said Defra had been active in the drive to create a nature reserve, spending over £60,000 in the past year, but stressed it was very important for the local community to have their input in the project.

"The meadows at Watchtree nature reserve have been seeded with a carefully selected mixture of grasses and wildflowers to create species-rich grasslands - particularly important as this type of grassland has declined by up to 97 per cent over the past 50 years.

"We have planted more than 58,000 trees at Watchtree in November/December 2002 and a large clay-lined pond and extensive surrounding wetland has been created at the nature reserve.

"The project is ambitious but the support and input of local people will be essential to help to make it a success," he added.