Conservation charity wins funding to help enhance three nature reserves in Wrexham

A conservation charity has been awarded funding to help improve and enhance three nature reserves in Wrexham County Borough.

Aberderfryn, Stryt Las and Brandie Brook in Johnstown will see various works carried out by Wild Ground as part of the scheme.

The funding has been awarded by Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by WCVA.

The three sites in Johnstown Wrexham have had various activities taking place such as the removal of 25 bags of rubbish plus a shopping trolley, repairing of anti-social behaviour activities – graffiti, campfire sites and the damaged boundary at Aberderfyn.

Emma Ellis, reserve officer for the Johnstown sites is enjoying getting to know the regular users of the site. She said: “It has been great being able to spend more time on the site. It has allowed us to get to know the regular users who enjoy the sites.”

Other areas which will which will be enhanced include Glascoed in St Asaph, an open access reserve covering nearly 8 hectares.

The reserve was created in 2000 to help support the Great Crested Newts, displaced by the construction of St Asaph Business Park.

The funding so far has replaced gates, repaired fences, and styles. Helped upgrade the bird hide and will create a new pond and allow new and additional interpretation and signage at the site for visitors.

Additional habitat works such as ragwort removal to allow for conservation grazing will also take place.

Kate Wilson Reserve officer for the site has been undertaking bird surveys with results submitted to Cofnod and has taken part in the Big Butterfly Count.

Additional wildlife-themed activities are planned for all four of the sites to include volunteering, community events, education, and training days as allowed by Covid-19 guidelines. You can keep update with these projects, Wild Grounds other reserves and conservation and biodiversity work by following us on Facebook @WildGroundTirGwyllt and Twitter @WildGroundNWcommunity