Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is part of an influential UK-wide partnership of 47 Wildlife Trusts with a network of over 2,200 nature reserves, 700,000 members and a common voice which allows us to act locally while influencing nationally.
The Trust has worked for more than 60 years to maximise the region's modern landscape by protecting wildlife and wild places, and educating, influencing and empowering people. We manage 80 of the best sites and help others to manage theirs. Our work is helping to secure the future of many important habitats and species, which might otherwise be lost.
In the last few years, the Trust has:
- Created more than 60ha of dedicated reedbed for bittern, one of the UK's most endangered birds, at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
- Worked tirelessly to secure the future of Yorkshire's water vole population, the mammal that the beloved 'Ratty' in Wind and the Willows was based on
- Restored and maintained some of the last remaining lowland heath habitat in Yorkshire
- Enabled over 800 volunteers to take positive action for their local environment
- Advised landowners on how to manage their land for wildlife
- Encouraged communities to protect and enjoy wildlife in their local area
- Campaigned successfully for wildlife friendly development.
We protect the wildlife where you live. We make our county a better place for wildlife and people.
We all know that wild places are under daily threat, as our towns develop and our countryside changes. Despite our successes, wildlife is still being lost at an alarming rate. The Trust needs your help and support to continue and expand its work.
Kirkstall Valley, Leeds
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| Kirkstall Meadow by Caroline Thorogood |
Kirkstall Valley was formed by the deposition of fly ash and, later, landfill when the power station was in operation, the plateau is bordered by the railway and the River Aire. The Leeds Liverpool Canal, running alongside the site is a contributing factor to the reserve’s diversity.
Three main habitats exist; the plateau meadows with boundary scrub, the river bank with mature trees and scrub, and the 2.8 hectare island with oak woodland and spring bluebells, which provides urban wildlife with a tranquil haven.
15,000 trees and shrubs have been planted and these complement existing oak, birch and willow which has regenerated since the power station closed in the 1960s. Meadows brim over with wildflowers such as meadow vetchling, tufted and bush vetch and oxeye daisy. Over 180 plant species have been recorded. Bird life is equally notable with 65 species recorded, including nesting kingfisher and reed bunting. Pheasant, grey partridge and goosander visit, remarkable for an urban site. Sixteen butterfly species have been recorded including comma and small copper and also six species of dragonfly. These numbers could increase with the establishment of reed beds adjacent to the ponds, where frogs, toads and smooth newts can be found.
How to contact the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
| Telephone: |
01904 659570 |
| E-mail: |
info@ywt.org.uk |
| Fax: |
01904 613467 |
| By post or in person: |
1 St George's Place
York
YO24 1GN |
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