Project to protect 7,000-year-old haven for wildlife is completed

CONSERVATIONISTS have completed a three-year project to protect a precious patch of 7,000-year-old woodland in Lincolnshire.


Since 2007, £175,000 worth of work has been carried out on Goltho Wood, north east of Lincoln, by the Woodland Trust.

And, after planting 30,000 native tree saplings as a buffer around the ancient limewood, and creating 20 hectares of wildflower rich grassland, ponds, wet woodland and marshland, the scheme has finished and wildlife-lovers can visit the site, near Wragby.

Liz McLelland, of the Woodland Trust, said: "Goltho Wood is one of the trust's standout sites in Lincolnshire and the benefits of the work, generously funded by SITA Trust can already be clearly seen.

"We'd love people across Lincolnshire to visit and see the fruits of our labour.


"The 30,000 new trees will create habitat corridors between the existing ancient woodland and provide homes for everything from Pipistrelle bats and herons to dormice and white admiral butterflies."

Surveys have already shown that many bird species, such as teal, lapwing and geese are overwintering on water meadows created at the wood, and there has been evidence of otters colonising in the vicinity of dams that have been created to periodically flood adjacent meadows.

The work has also involved hundreds of local residents helping to plant the thousands of native trees, with volunteers taking part in research and even holding talks for local groups.

Jools Granville of the ethical funding organisation the SITA Trust said: "It is always very inspiring to be involved in a project that helps to ignite people's passion for the natural world.

"Funding of £175,000 has enabled years of very hard work by The Woodland Trust and countless members of the general public to make Goltho Wood a place where the diverse wonders of nature can be enjoyed for generations to come."

For more information about the work and to find out how to visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ wood/wragby

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/7-000-year-old-haven-precious-wildlife/article-2965242-detail/article.html