Nature reserves to benefit visitors during lockdown

Nature has been essential in helping us to cope with the lockdowns and restrictions caused by the Coronavirus.

And the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside will work to keep its nature reserves open to provide a natural escape route from the lockdown.

Campaigns Manager Alan Wright said: “Nature is an essential service for the wellbeing of millions of people. It is critical that we continue to deliver essential conservation work and we also feel it is essential to keep our reserves as accessible as possible for the local communities in which they sit.

“This won’t be an easy task, as we have seen many of our vital fundraising activities put on pause due to the restrictions, meaning we have a real uphill battle to fund the opening of these reserves.

“Our work must continue because we need to restore fantastic habitats for plants and creatures in time for spring and summer. And, hopefully, that spring wildlife will raise spirits among our visitors during this difficult time.

“I definitely think we were able to cope with the lockdown better last year when the weather was better and birds were singing their hearts out.”

Brockholes car park will be open seven days a week between 6am-7pm. Toilets and takeaway catering will be available Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Mere Sands Wood will open its car park every day, with toilets available in the Visitor Centre or the classroom all week between 10am-3pm. There will be takeaway catering on Saturday and Sundays from 10am-3pm.

In Merseyside, Lunt Meadows will open its car park between 9.30am and 4.30pm. The restricted Seaforth reserve is closed during lockdown.

Alan said: “While region has been in various stages of lockdown it has been heartening to see many local people using our reserves. We have been able to speak to them – at a safe distance – and they have told us about some of the wonderful things they have seen.

“We would ask that people stay within the guidelines when visiting our reserves, by staying local and within their household or support bubble.

“It would be great if our members and friends continued to keep in touch with us on social media so we know they are doing well along with the wildlife.”

Anyone thinking about visiting a reserve can find their local reserve on the Wildlife Trust’s websites www.lancswt.org.uk or www.brockholes.org or on its social media pages. Openings may change, so it is best to check before visiting.

Opening reserves and keeping in touch with nature lovers means Wildlife Trust staff have continued to work through the lockdown.

Alan said: “We would like to thank all of our members and supporters who have stood by our side throughout the pandemic.”

If you want to help the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside to provide wonderful homes for nature, you can support them at  www.lancswt.org.uk/support-us.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey.  It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 30,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers