Bringing new life to vital wetlands
Nov 29 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
Ancient meadowland for garden
SIX acres of mature woodland and ancient meadowland have been added to a botanic garden.
The land next to Durham University Botanic Garden was previously used by the university’s zoology department as a teaching area.
Banks Developments has donated £25,000 to the Botanic Garden to fund an 18-month project to restore and enhance the land, which is now open for walks.
An existing field centre has been renovated to host educational visits from local schools, boardwalks have been repaired and reinstated to make public access easier, interpretative boards have been added and a new woodland picnic area has been created.
The meadow, thought to date from medieval times, has been reseeded and replanted with native hedge, and its boundaries have been secured to enable it to be conservation grazed by a flock of 20 rare breed sheep.
The botanic garden receives more than 80,000 visitors a year, a number which project leader Steve Ansdell expects to increase with the addition of the new woodland and meadow areas.
He said: “The garden has become one of Durham’s leading tourist attractions, and these new areas will add a great deal to our visitors’ experience, extending the existing circular walk through the garden and showing them an even richer and more diverse range of natural flora and fauna.
“Because they have remained untouched for so long, we are able to show the meadows and woodland in their natural condition and can tell the story of their resident animals and plants in an unspoilt environment.
“The new facilities also have huge potential for educational work, and we’re extremely grateful for the support from Banks.”
Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at Banks Developments, added: “The Botanic Garden is a wonderfully diverse facility and it’s very exciting for us to be involved with opening such an important and interesting new chapter in the development of a very well-used and highly-valued local amenity.”
