Marlborough’s Bay Meadows Project – call for volunteers

After Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s hugely successful appeal to save Bay Meadows in June 2021, work is well underway to restore this unique floodplain meadow near Marlborough in order to create a new nature reserve that will be a haven for wildlife and will provide a wild space for local communities to enjoy.

Anthony Atkinson has recently been appointed Project Officer.  Anthony is starting the project by consulting local communities to ensure that Bay Meadows suits the needs of local people. He is organising species surveys and habitat enhancement work across this 13 hectare floodplain meadow and chalk stream nature reserve.  The Environment Agency and other specialists have also been providing help and suggestions on how to shape this beautiful stretch of countryside, to make it an important green corridor for wildlife.

Although the reserve is not yet accessible to the public, there will be a series of events coming soon for the local community to get involved and “have their say” in shaping the future of Bay Meadows. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is keen for the local community and groups to be involved in a variety of ways:

• Installing paths and bridges for public access to nature
• Linking with existing pathways to create new walking routes
• Establishing a new volunteer group to help maintain, manage and enhance the site
• Participating in an onsite wellbeing programme, kindly funded from the Area Board & National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Engaging local school children through forest school and site activities
• Consultation on how Bay Meadows can best serve local needs and complement existing facilities.

Anthony Atkinson, Bay Meadows Project Officer at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, says; “I am truly delighted to have been asked to be the guardian and champion of Bay Meadows and I’m looking forward to working with the local community, schools and volunteers to create a haven for all.”

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust commented, “We are very grateful to all those who contributed to our members’ appeal, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Hills Group and other generous donors for making this project possible. “

To get involved or for more information click here.