Nature reserve to double in size, thanks to gift
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust acquires an area of wet woodland, marsh and pastureland due to the will.
A nature reserve near Eccleshall, Staffordshire, will double in size thanks to a generous donation from a will, according to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The donation will acquire more land at the Jacksons Coppice and Marsh Nature Reserve, including wet woodland, marsh, and pastureland south of the River Sow. Public footpaths and a plan to manage river flow during heavy rainfall are also being developed.
This news has been hailed as fantastic for wildlife and as a wonderful example of how gifts in wills can create lasting change for nature. The donation was made by David Aldred, a supporter of the trust. The trust plans to coppice mature alder trees and manage willow growth on the floodplain to encourage a greater diversity of plants and wildlife.
Once owned by the trust, the floodplain will help slow the river's flow during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. The reserve's expansion will provide public footpaths over the new land, allowing visitors to explore different trails. Trust spokesperson Jeff Sim emphasized the potential to restore habitats on a much larger scale, making a significant difference to the wildlife that relies on these places to live, feed, and breed.
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