Bradgate makes Charnwood Wilder

Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust have thanked Bradgate Rotary Club who were one of the first donors to the Wilder Charnwood Appeal, giving £150 with the message: "We are thrilled to be able to support this appeal to help expand land for nature close to us here in Charnwood."

The Trust says the club's ongoing support of the Trust is inspiring and a reminder of why conservation is so important. You can donate to the Wilder Charnwood Appeal help wildlife flourish by visting https://www.lrwt.org.uk/appeals/wilder-charnwood-appeal.

The club's support is continuing, with some members volunteering to help extend Charley Woods. Club members have been invited to an exclusive event on Wednesday, June 17, to explore the proposed extension to Charley Woods and enjoy a guided walk led by Ben Devine, Head of Nature Recovery at the Trust. Attendees will discover the Trust's ambitions for nature recovery in Charnwood as Ben Devine shares insights into the land and explains the importance this acquisition could have for wildlife. The visit will begin with the guided walk, followed by a return back for refreshments, and will conclude with time for conversation and a Q&A.

Bradgate Rotary, as supporters of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, were delighted to be invited, as one of the first donors to the project, to see where our latest donation was to be spent. The Wilder Charnwood Appeal is an ambitious project whose aim is to transform the land from a stark depleted landscape into a healthy thriving woodland ecosystem by expanding the Charley Woods nature reserve into the area and increasing the space for wildlife.

Five of our members were fortunate to go on a guided walk of the site to see the plans and landscape that LRWT have in mind. To see a natural spring in the middle of a field used to grow sweetcorn came as a surprise. With natural water courses part of the project, it will enable the development of natural wetlands which would give natural flood defences to the streams flowing in to the River Soar.

Who knew this was on our doorstep?

Without doubt this is a major opportunity to bring back this part of Charnwood Forest to the landscape it once was and one we at Bradgate Rotary will give long term support.  Our thanks go to Ben Devine, Robin Smith and Roxsan Kielty from LRWT for organising a fascinating and interesting insight in to what is a long term project that can only preserve and enhance our local landscape. 

To know more and donate go to Wilder Charnwood Appeal | Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust