Create a community woodland on the River Avon

A rare opportunity has come up to secure 70 acres of disused land directly on the River Avon near Bath, next to Warleigh Wood. Not only will this allow the ancient woodland to expand across more of its old range, this is a brilliant chance to create and restore a variety of rare and unique habitats that support struggling wildlife and sequester carbon dioxide.

The land has been left to nature for several years, but it needs help to reach its potential, with invasive species starting to creep in and impact the biodiversity. With the right care and attention, and a bunch of work from our local army of volunteers, we can create wet woodlands, ponds, scrapes, and grasslands. All of this will benefit wildlife, from struggling bird and insect populations, to the beavers who are starting to pop up along the river.

The site is perfectly placed to connect the ancient woodland of Warleigh Wood to the river Avon, but is surrounded by other amazing agroforestry and rewilding projects. To the north, the Avon Wildlife Trust & National Trust's Bathampton Meadows. To the south, the Woodland Trust's Avoncliff Wood. 

Like all rivers in the UK right now, the Avon is struggling, but these projects are starting to help give nature a fighting chance. This project will be another huge step in the right direction.

What is the plan?

Woodland Creation - Protect Earth regularly creates new woodlands with a mixture of tree planting and natural regeneration as appropriate, and this site needs a bit of both. Some of the nearby woodland is mostly conifers and sycamore, so leaving it entirely to its own devices will not bring about the biodiversity we'd want to create a flourishing woodland. Planting some of the higher parts with 15-20 different local native species will boost biodiversity not just on our land, but in the surrounding area as seeds spread.

Wet Woodland - Closer to the river the conditions are right to create some magical wet woodlands, which are particularly rare. "Wild, transient, boggy and rare. Wet woodlands are now some of our least common wooded habitats. Trees like alder, willows and birch dominate on wet soils, while sedges, ferns and mosses flourish beneath." -- Woodland Trust

A beautiful example of a wet woodland. Credit: Alastair Hotchkiss / WTML

Wildlife Ponds & Wetlands - This site will be perfect for "rewetting", which means we can landscape areas adjacent to the Avon to create permanent ponds, seasonal scrapes, and other ephemeral water bodies to help wildlife and prevent flooding downstream. 

Improved Public Access - There is a footpath running through the site from one end to the other, and it is currently passable but not enjoyable. The path is known by. local walkers as being difficult due to overgrown nettles throughout the length of the path. One review on All Trails says "Do NOT attempt without long pants!!! Second half of the trail is completely overgrown and full of nettles. Okay with boots and long pants, but otherwise very treacherous (and painful)." and my experience lines up with this. We will improve the existing paths, and add new natural trails showcasing the myriad of different unique habitats that will be created.

Calcareous grassland - Several hectares of degraded calcareous grassland exist, another particular rare ecosystem which we will restore to its full potential. We will work with local farmers to implement a conservation grazing regime that will help restore this area's botanical richness.

Invasive Species - There is a large outbreak of Himalayan Balsam throughout the whole site, which is feeding seeds into the already infested river. The whole River Avon from Malmesbury to Avonmouth has an issue with this plant, and not only can we clear this land of the plant, we will use it as a base to tackle the problem in the surrounding area. We are already working on clearing the River Frome which joins the Avon in Bristol, and are excited to have skin in the game in this section which is not receiving the help it needs.

Who are we?

Protect Earth is an environmental charity that buys land to protect and restore to its full potential, for the benefit of wildlife, community, and carbon sequestration.

We are currently restoring a 70-acre ancient woodland in Cornwall to its former glory as a temperate rainforest, we are creating 70-acre mixed woodland/wildflower site on marginal grazing land in Powys, and another 27 acres of woodland is being created in Flintshire. 

The team here at Protect Earth is excited to have such an important project on our doorstep, with multiple of our team being local, and our Chair growing up walking/cycling/kayaking along this stretch of the Avon his whole life.

For this community woodland acquisition we also have the support of the following organisations:

• Avon Needs Trees
• Avon Wildlife Trust
  
• Bristol Tree Forum
• Forest of Avon Trust
• Wonderful Wild West

Discussions are ongoing with other environmental groups/charities to explore potential collaboration.

How will we do this?

Philanthropic donors and government grants are supporting the bulk of our offer, but this fundraiser will provide the remaining funds we need to secure the site.

Once we have the land we have all the staff, equipment, and experience we could need to get the work done, and we're already talking to the Environment Agency and local stakeholders so there's no time to waste. We can plant our first trees this winter, remove invasives in spring, and ll of our work will be supported by an army of local volunteers, including you if you're up for it!

What are the risks?

Protect Earth is using a combination of our Land Fund, wonderful philanthropic donors which we have worked with before, so we know that money is there. We're also working with Forest of Avon to access Trees for Climate funding, which so far seems positive, but buying land is never done until it's done.

If we can't reach the £50,000 target, all supporters will have their donation returned.

If we hit £50,000 target, we'll add the funds to our Land Fund so we can purchase the site. 

At this point, if any other funding falls out for any reason, we'll do everything we can to find another source of funding, but if the land escapes us we'll have it in our Land Fund ready to go on the next piece of land instead of trying to mad scramble every time something comes up.

Protect Earth has been involved in a lot of crowdfunders for land, and the main feedback from supporters is "I love what you're trying to do, please keep our donation for future land purchases", so we are trying to strike a balance here. None of the donations are spent on salaries, marketing, or any other purpose other than buying unused/degraded farmland for ecological restoration.

Can we talk?

Please support us getting this land, and if you have any questions we're always up for a chat: 

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 0300 302 0065‬