Windfall will open countryside to all

Jan 5 2009 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

A CASH windfall will open up access to a remote moorland nature reserve for almost 3,000 people over the next three years.

The project at the RSPB’s Geltsdale reserve on the Northumberland-Cumbria border is one the first recipients of an Access to Nature grant from Natural England.

The scheme aims to encourage people – particularly those who have little or no contact with the natural environment – to explore and enjoy the countryside.

The Geltsdale Community Outreach Project to be run by RSPB at the nature reserve in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Nature Beauty will target young people through school and community groups.

The reserve, between Haltwhistle and Carlisle, has received an award of £99,999.

The upland reserve supports black grouse, golden plover, curlew, ring ouzel, lapwing, redshank, snipe, merlin, barn and short eared owl, and is one of only a few sites in northern England where hen harriers have nested.

Large areas of new woodland are being created on the reserve, through regeneration and planting of native species.

The national £25m Access to Nature scheme is funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.

Dr Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, said she hoped people would be tempted into the beautiful countryside with the aid of the scheme.

She said: “Modern life can mean losing regular contact with nature, and we must find a way of putting people back in touch with the natural environment.

“Being outside is good for people’s health and wellbeing. If we can inspire people to value the world around them today, we have a better chance of passing on a connection with nature to future generations.” Another scheme also seeks to improve accessibility to the countryside for people with disabilities.

The new online venture by Natural England maps out the location and terrain of six national nature reserves, including the Castle Eden site near Peterlee in County Durham. Go to the disabled access page at www.naturalengland.org.uk