Funding helps to improve the local environment
Local projects will benefit greatly from generous grants to Northumberland Wildlife Trust: £26,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £20,000 from an anonymous donor.
The Heritage Lottery money will be used in the first stage of the development of its Dynamic Druridge Project.
The project will focus on building a new visitor centre at the Hauxley reserve to replace the building destroyed in an arson attack in June 2009. It will also be used to improve habitats at its reserves along the Bay: Cresswell Pond, Druridge Pools, East Chevington, Linton Lane and Hauxley.
Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust and leader of the Dynamic Druridge Project said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the £26,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will enable us to involve the communities in shaping the project.”
The £20,000, made through The Community Foundation will go towards improving access on the Hauxley Nature Reserve. A surfaced path will be created along the Willow Carr, which will allow visitor access, for the first time, through this section of the reserve and provide views over the islands on the lake. It is a step towards a full circular walk around the reserve. Other plans include managing the woodland and providing fully accessible screen hides. Work will begin on this project during autumn 2014, as the area is an important habitat for breeding birds and they need to ensure that nesting has finished to avoid disturbance.
