Christmas boost for community groups to help biodiversity
Eight charities and community groups will receive funding from our PEBBLE fund for projects to encourage and enhance biodiversity in over 23.16 hectares (equivalent to over 23 rugby pitches).
Almost £21,000 will be awarded to the projects which focus on restoration of chalk streams, a community orchard and protection of rare species such as the Barn Owl.
- The Greater Cambridge Chalk Streams project by the Wild Trout Trust and Wildlife Trust BCN will improve a section of Vicar's Brook and Mel River in the Greater Cambridge area. At Vicar's Brook gravel will be added to restore the river bed profile and the shallow runs reshaped and at the River Mel there will be scrub management, low-level ledges will be created for planting and sediment management will enable the river to cleanse itself.
- Barton’s Barn Owl Boxes by the Countryside Restoration Trust will replace six Barn Owl boxes across the 160ha site that have started to deteriorate.
- CoFarm Cambridge will create a wildflower meadow and community orchard on a community farm in the centre of Cambridge.
- Chalk it up for Wildlife by Wildlife Trust BCN will undertake vital conservation management and invasive species control to protect rare species such as Moon Carrot, Moon Carrot rust and Basil Thyme at the two historic quarries at Cherry Hinton Chalk pits.
- Horseheath Parish Council will create wildflower roadside verges in the village of Horseheath.
- Friends of the Round Moat at Fowlmere Parish Council will clear the overgrowing vegetation, create a wildflower area and improve existing habitats at the moat; creating new nesting and roosting opportunities for a number of birds and mammals.
- Cambridge City Council will plant two roadside verges at Fulbourn Road and Cam Causeway with wildflowers.
- Abington Preschool will increase biodiversity in their outdoor area, which is currently paved by introducing some plants and bug hotels.
Since the launch of the PEBBLE fund in 2016, over 60 hectares (equivalent to more than 60 rugby pitches) have been improved thanks to these awards.
We’re not just here to provide our customers with high quality water, we want to protect and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
We want to do that by supporting and funding the existing groups, which are already working hard to increase the variety of natural living things and the diversity of the habitats where they live. This is work which not only benefits wildlife, but also enhances local communities and our open spaces.
We were pleased to receive so many applications for our PEBBLE fund this year, the successful projects were chosen by a combination of our staff volunteers across the business and customers on our online community. I’m looking forward to seeing how these projects progress.
Dan Clark, Water Resources and Environment Manager.
About PEBBLE
Read more about our PEBBLE fund and previous projects we have funded
Posted: 16 December 2020