The Cambridge Green Belt Project is often the first point of contact for a local community developing an environment project and is still in touch with many groups that first initiated projects over five years ago. The Project provides advice on conservation, available grants and arranges work by contractors or volunteers. By helping communities to look after their own sites, the Project helps to preserve some of the areas most interesting and wildlife rich greenspaces for the benefit of people and wildlife.
The Priorities have been chosen because they reflect the priority Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats and represent the most important for this area.
Our priority habitats and species are:
The Project assists with a large number of sites that are important for these habitats both nationally and locally. We help to manage the chalk grassland of three Sites of Scientific Interest including Fleam Dyke, Roman Road and Great Wilbraham Common. But also help to look after the small chalk pits in the area including Stapleford Pit, Ickelton Pit and Great Wilbraham Pit, which are locally important grassland sites. The Project also works with local groups at Harston Orchard, Toft disused allotments and a range of other small sites across the whole Green Belt area. If you would like more information about the sites the Project manages go to the Species section.
Not only does the Project assist with site management we also undertake species survey work including water voles, otters and great crested newts. We monitor other species at the sites we look after and work closely with other groups to monitor these species including butterflies, junipers, willows, black poplar and chalk grassland flora. Monitoring the species at the sites we work is important to make sure the management we do is beneficial.
One of our key aims is to give local people an opportunity to access the wonderful countryside around Cambridge and explore the areas wildlife for themselves. We have an active events programme and produce a series of walks guides for the area, which highlight the opportunities available. The Project also works with local schools and other community groups to raise awareness of the countryside around them.