Miner2Major’s nature projects focused on the landscape, habitats, species and trails of Sherwood Forest. The scheme worked with local conservation organisations and governmental bodies to protect the landscape in and around the Sherwood area to the benefit of native wildlife and habitats.
Nature
Better Habitats
Enhancing, restoring, re-creating and re-linking Sherwood Forest’s heathlands and other important habitats to create a better structured mix of habitats in the wider Sherwood landscape, ensuring a beneficial and resilient habitat for wildlife. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust were the lead organisation for this delivery through volunteer practical work sessions and larger scale mechanical habitat works with contractors.
Connecting Trails
There are over 193km of rights of way within the Miner2Major scheme area. These include a few well-known trails, which provide ways for members of the public to explore the countryside. However, not all the rights of way are well promoted, easily accessible or connected to local attractions.
This project will survey the existing network of routes and rights of way with local volunteers. Once surveyed we will be able to better promote and connect them to local attractions to help people to be able to make the most of the wealth of trails within the area.
Within the project we will also do a small number of improvements to the existing trails, to help make them more accessible for users.
Saving Sherwood’s Special Species
Sherwood Forest is home to some very special and iconic species that are characteristic of the area’s unique combination of habitats, and which occur in few other places around the UK.
This project will engage local people in finding out more about these species, widening understanding of where they are and taking positive action to protect them.
We will deliver a range of events to improve knowledge of species identification, field survey methodology and recording, then organise surveys to be carried out by trained volunteers and supported by skilled ecologists. The results of the surveys will help us make landscape improvements.
Sherwood’s Landscape of Trees and Hedges
Trees and hedgerows are a vital component of Sherwood’s landscape. We know that trees are important not only for their biodiversity value, but also for their cultural and emotional connections. Sherwood’s trees and hedgerows are loved by local people and eagerly anticipated by visitors to the area.
This project helped improve our knowledge and data about the number and condition of trees and hedgerows throughout Sherwood, whilst enthusing local people about what we have now and what we can improve for the future.
We worked with landowners and communities in planting a new generation of trees, including some that commemorate local legends and stimulate new community celebrations.
Find out more about Sherwood’s Landscape of Trees and Hedges.
Engagement Officer
The Engagement Officer took a central role engaging with communities within and surrounding the Miner2Major Landscape Partnership area, working with our delivery partners, community groups and volunteers to generate interest and support the delivery of projects. This included targeted work with young people, families with young children and under-represented groups.
Find out more about the work already undertaken by the Engagement Officer.