Woodland Walk creation at Stephenson Steam Railway

Aim

Our mission is to redevelop a disused area of land, into a haven for wildlife and a place where our local community can connect with nature.

We’re a volunteer-run heritage railway with a mission to transform two acres of unused scrub land into a nature sanctuary where flora, fauna and wildlife can thrive. Help us raise £2,500 to support our Woodland Walk project and create a wildlife pond. 

We’re on a mission to redevelop a disused area of land, into a haven for wildlife and a place where our local community can connect with nature. The land provides the opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the space for free. We’re dedicated to providing children and local communities with the opportunity to learn about the areas natural and industrial heritage and explore how this heritage connects them to the wider world. We plan to use this funding to create a wildlife pond which would encourage biodiversity and provide a haven for wet area species such as frogs, insects, dragonflies, mud snails and damsel flies.  

The pandemic has increased social isolation and highlighted child poverty in the area. It has been reported the North East has the highest level of children living in poverty in the UK. Many children and families in the area have limited access to outdoor spaces or free cultural spaces, making it difficult to connect with the heritage of their locality. We want to change this, with the introduction of our Woodland Walk.  

We’re committed to preserving the wild areas within our community. When finished, the Woodland Walk will attract wildlife and improve the site’s natural eco system, creating a nature conservation area that can be enjoyed freely by all. A key feature within the Woodland Walk, will be our wildlife pond. The pond will act as a focal point of the walk and will allow the museum’s learning team to deliver interactive wildlife workshops to families and school children, as well as an engaging programme for children with SEND. 

Additional features of the Woodland Walk will include -  

• A sensory walk 
• Educational lodge 
• Wildflower meadow 
• Butterfly field  
• Art displays 
• Bug hotels 
• Reclaimed rail artefact displays 

We're aiming to raise £2,500 of funding to build a wildlife pond. Every pound you donate, helps nurture positive interactions between people and nature.  

This project successfully funded on 28th June 2023