Gwent Wildlife Trust’s newest nature reserve is open
Bridewell Common Nature Reserve on the Gwent Levels was officially opened by Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trusts at a special event on June 20th.
At the event after leading wildlife walks around the reserve, Gwent Wildlife Trust thanked guests, including local community representatives, supporters, volunteers and staff, who had contributed to the acquisition and restoration of this beautiful 33-hectare site.
Sitting within the eastern Gwent Levels, tucked below Magor and Undy, Bridewell Common was acquired by Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) in 2020 thanks to an incredible response to a short fundraising appeal. The reserve has been closed to the public until spring this year, while a series of major restoration and safety works were carried out.
Bridewell Common sits within the Magor and Undy Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lying upon peaty ground which has the potential to support a more diverse plant-life than elsewhere in the more clay-heavy parts of the Gwent Levels. This vast wetland landscape, stretching from Cardiff in the west, to Chepstow in the east, has been shaped by humans over millennia, giving rise to a landscape that is nationally important and recognised for its diverse community of rare aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "Securing the future of important and beautiful natural places like Bridewell Common is absolutely key to achieving the UK's commitment to protect at least 30% of our land and sea by 2030. Making more space for nature to become abundant once again will give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover in Wales and will also provide wonderful wild places for people to enjoy. Restoring these habitats is vital to store carbon and helps to tackle the climate crisis. Three cheers for Gwent Wildlife Trust and its supporters for doing such a brilliant job of saving this jewel in the Levels!"
In her speech at the opening event, Gemma Bodé, GWT’s Interim CEO and Head of Nature Recovery paid tribute to a collective local effort: “An almighty team of staff, volunteers and local contractors and graziers at Gwent Wildlife Trust have worked tremendously hard in ensuring the site is safe for people and initial, major restoration works undertaken for wildlife before opening. By focusing our efforts on tree safety work, creating accessible routes throughout the reserve and managing the land to benefit the rare and beautiful wildlife such as otters, water voles, butterflies and dragonflies found here, we are pleased to announce that Bridewell Common is now open for all to enjoy.”
25 June 2024
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