The Cambridge Green Belt Project is a longstanding project operating since 1992. It is funded by South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and The Wildlife Trust for Cambridgeshire. In 1997 the City Greenways Project was set up to work specifically in the City of Cambridge. These Projects work in Cambridge and its surrounding designated Green Belt, covering 47 parishes. The overall aim is to; 'Protect and enhance the quality of the landscape, and assist with the delivery of the local BAP through improving wildlife habitat and increasing people's understanding and enjoyment of the countryside around them.' There are two members of staff and a long term volunteer.
The Projects have worked in partnership with English Nature, English Heritage, Cambridge County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Wildlife Trust, Parish Councils, Local Authorities, Local groups, Volunteers, other Non-governmental organisations such as Cambridge Preservation Society, local business and landowners on those sites marked on the map below. Overall we have worked at over 40 different sites either by providing advice and or practical conservation management.
We prioritise the areas we work on to those that are nationally important; Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); those are locally important; County Wildlife Sites (CWS) and concentrating on projects that benefit habitats and species identified for urgent action through the Cambridgeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Many of these sites are also important to local people for quiet recreation. Our priorities include:
This year we have worked on work on 5 SSSIs, 7 County Wildlife Sites, 3 Local Nature Reserves and numerous other parish biodiversity sites.
Site with chalk grassland interest that was overgrown with nettles and scrub. Local Parish Council contacted Project. We have now written Management Plan for site, Mid-week Team cut nettles and scrub, locals now use site for informal recreation and Parish Council are applying for funding to further improve access and conservation interest.
We could not complete our work without the aid of volunteers. The Mid-week Volunteer Teams run on a Tuesday and Wednesday and are open to all. We have a range of volunteers from all sectors of the community including children, retired people, unemployed, students, outpatients from Addenbrookes Mental Health Unit, volunteers from homeless shelters and even people taking days off from work! The Teams this year alone have spent 452 workdays managing and improving over 30 sites in the Project area. Volunteers also assist with survey work and this year saw volunteers helping look for white letter hairstreak butterflies, great crested newts, black poplars, butterflies, moths and other invertebrates.
Encouraging local people to enjoy their local countryside is a key aim. This also includes comprehensive events Programme. We have met this by:
Our Project Partners provide core funding for the 2 Officers employed to oversee the work of the Projects. Other funding for practical work on the ground has to be sought. This year we have had support from:
We are grateful to our supporters. Without their assistance we would be unable to complete our essential wildlife and access work across the Project area.