Ancient Derbyshire woodland undergoes £15,000 facelift to safeguard its future

It’s taken £15,000 and over 160 volunteer man-hours, but a project to restore one of Derbyshire’s finest examples of ancient woodland is complete.
A £15,000 grant has funded the restoration of Lea Wood.A £15,000 grant has funded the restoration of Lea Wood.
A £15,000 grant has funded the restoration of Lea Wood.

Just over a year ago, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust received a grant of £15,085 from The Veolia Environmental Trust, awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund, for the restoration of Lea Wood in Matlock.

Willing volunteers have removed almost a hectare of non-native rhododendron to allow native species like wild daffodil and bluebells to thrive, and 60 bat boxes have been installed with the help of Derbyshire Bat Group.

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Lea Wood is home to several declining species of bird, mammal and plants which have benefitted from the opening up of the ground layer.

The woods are home to many hidden treasures.The woods are home to many hidden treasures.
The woods are home to many hidden treasures.

Reserve Officer Kate Lemon, who co-ordinated the project, said: “The funding has enabled us to safeguard Lea Wood and ensure it is a haven for many of our vulnerable species for years to come.”

The clearances have uncovered sites of archaeological interest revealing the industrial past of the woodland, which is being investigated by Lea Wood Heritage Community Project.

The funding is also helping cover the cost of training to give volunteers the knowledge and experience to manage the wood for future generations.