Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group proposed 5 year plan Written May 2021 - priorities to be determined by Trustees | |||||||||||||||
Prepared by Simon Day, Chair of CBWG, using Trustees’ suggestions | |||||||||||||||
Key Area | Task | Priority | Details | Objectives – what do we want to achieve? | Achieved? Y N P comments | ||||||||||
Cabin/seating area | To extend and overhaul the outdoor seating area behind the cabin. |
| Prepare area, lay membrane, lay hardcore foundation and top with chippings. Repaint/clean seating | To enhance quality of seating environment for members of the public | |||||||||||
Cabin | Explore all factors in funding and replacing existing cabin with newer/larger design | Considering all factors involved ie design/function/funding streams and size before making final decision | To ultimately replace existing cabin which can accommodate simultaneous activities at any one time due to its design | ||||||||||||
Cabin/seating area | Aim to extend opening times/days of the existing cabin | Seek permission if required to open on a certain number of days on an annual basis Allowing more opportunities to open during warmer months and during public/school holidays Secure a greater number of people willing and available to volunteer in the cabin | Freedom to open cabin at peak times to target increased footfall Increase in cabin volunteers on rota Monthly income from cabin shows increasing trend | ||||||||||||
Education Area ( across the compound from the cabin) | To increase number of habitats in the area to provide a greater number of activities | Create ( with permission and agreement from Robin) a pond habitat to the left of the walled entrance | Habitats increased Pond project completed | ||||||||||||
Education Area | To provide the opportunity for birdwatching activities | Construct a bird viewing screen or hide and develop a bird feeding area for birdwatching activities | Screen constructed Additional birdwatching area provided | ||||||||||||
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Education Area | To enable bug hunting activities | Create areas for bug hunting by laying a variety of surfaces eg logs/stones etc | Areas located and completed | ||||||||||||
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Education Area | To provide a designated and dry meeting point | Provide permanent or removable covering over the logged/ chippings meeting area | Meeting point covered and sheltered | ||||||||||||
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Education Area | To meet/liaise with users and meet specific needs where possible | To provide a manageable range of natural materials for such use as Forest School activities | Increase the frequency of usage of the Education area by visiting groups To provide a range of habitats for visitors to explore and learn from | ||||||||||||
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Bird viewing area | To undertake an overhaul of the area To improve the environment for visitors/photographers | Source, transport and replace old/rotten logs/branches with new ones Dig over surrounding area behind and in front of screen and re-landscape with insect attracting plants Railing installed for steps Explore idea of ramp option into area Trim back encroaching willow Repair perimeter fencing Design and create reflection pond | Improved quality of the feeding environment, range and location of feeders extended. Improved opportunities for bird observation and photography | ||||||||||||
Bird viewing area (s) | To encourage as many species of visiting birds as possible and minimise spread of disease | Keep supply and feeders well stocked Weekly changing of feeders in all 3 locations using colour coding system | To sustain a constant food source for birds throughout the year Observations suggest disease- free visiting birds
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Whole site | Introduce themed walks eg tree and flower walks for members of public to follow | Liaise with ‘experts’ to ensure correct identification eg Bel Hale, Steve Blacksmith/our own volunteers | A range of worksheets available in cabin and in regular use by families/school groups | ||||||||||||
Whole site - signage | Install welcoming signage | Liaise with Robin for signage size and design Assist with installation of signage if appropriate | All relevant signage installed | ||||||||||||
Meadows/grassland areas | Improve the quality of meadow/grassland areas on site in order to
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| Carefully planned programme of adding specific wild flower species such as Yellow Rattle which would enhance quality and diversity. Purchase of chosen wild flowers Contact Scientific Society to request insect/invertebrate survey | Monitoring and recording of species in grassland areas shows increase in wild flower diversity and increase in number of targeted bird species and insect species | |||||||||||
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Lagoon | Install bird hide on lagoon bund with ramped access form riverside walk |
| Suggested construction of 10m x 3m metal structure with seating and shutter windows Funding costs/grants | Hide erected, in use and maintained to appropriate standards | |||||||||||
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North Loop | Create winter feeding seeded area for birds and small mammals on stretch of grassland between the back of the hide and the metal gate |
| Rolling out membrane to cover the area to provide a base Placing variety of free-standing stones over membrane Wood planks to provide border frame | Monitoring shows successful attraction of birds, particularly migrant flocks during winter months Possible mammal trapping shows increase in mammal activity. Barn owl food supply increased | |||||||||||
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North Loop | Increase diversity of wildlife – particularly aquatic life | Work in partnership with Calder Greening and Environment Agency to install water features such as pond and boggy area in designated areas on NL | Monitoring and recording shows increase in aquatic life on NL | ||||||||||||
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Publicity/membership | To increase membership, volunteers as our human resources. |
| To explore ways in which to further increase our membership/volunteers – particularly those of younger age groups eg through newsletter/Saturday Volunteer days and visiting groups Encourage members to pay membership online. | Membership increases Regular volunteering increases Membership of younger age groups shows increase Public education and enjoyment of the site enhanced Mental health and wellbeing opportunities provided Publicity makes it clear that all income is spent directly on Reserve management | |||||||||||
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Publicity/membership | Update all CBWG information boards up to date eg sightings board to improve communication |
| Replace old black information board outside gate. Display publicity posters directing the public’s attention towards all our activities/fundraising eg ‘Litter picking’ day | Boards kept up to date Posters clearly visible in prominent places. | |||||||||||
Publicity | Explore feasibility of providing information to walking visitors about the wildlife on the Reserve electronically | Place QR codes in specific places on site which, when activated on phone/tablet is linked to information from the website Explore idea with Robin Access expertise in how we could set this up and its viability | QR code system set up and in operation for the public to use | ||||||||||||
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Sphagnum Bog | To establish what wildlife exists there and to explore how it could be improved to attract new species. |
| Install variety of bird feeders Explore other ideas to encourage diversity | Monitoring and recording shows current levels of diversity Monitoring and recording after introduction of feeders and other strategies shows increase in diversity | |||||||||||
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Generating income | Explore opportunities for increasing income – with sales of items related to the Reserve or CBWG Keep looking out for available grants |
| Eg selling small badges/accessories eg mugs?? Apply for grants which match our projects and ensure completion within timescale if bid is successful | Income streams identified and agreed Income is received from sources deemed to be viable and profit making Grants applied for Some success with applications Successful partnership with providers/contractors Projects funded/part funded and completed | |||||||||||
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Community engagement | Re-instate activity days on the reserve for the general public and for school and community groups.. |
| Ensure we have the capacity and time to provide these events Work in partnership Calderdale-led events to provide a manageable programme | There is a calendar of events which is attended by the public | |||||||||||
Community engagement | Increase number of visiting groups |
| Publicise the availability of the Education area/Reserve in general, to the local community Accommodate all requests from different groups to take part in activities, as far as is reasonably possible To look for opportunities to liaise with similar wildlife organisations | Informal records ( visitors’ book) show that we have at least accommodated all requests Most, if not all requests take place Positive links are made which generate ideas | |||||||||||
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Human Resources | Increasing skill base and qualifications |
| Increase number who have Emergency First Aid at Work qualification Increase the number who pass tractor driving test Increase number of qualified users of electrical equipment such as strimmers /hedge cutters and workshop machinery | Increases shown in all areas. | |||||||||||
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Whole site | Address growing spread of Balsam |
| Organise ‘Balsam bashing ‘days using volunteers and community groups who want to assist us Have a rolling programme of areas to target over time | Radically reduce the areas of the Reserve covered in balsam |
Plan to be monitored at monthly Trustees’ meetings and reviewed annually prior to Chair’s report at annual AGM
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