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Uniting Communities for Geological Conservation at Saltwells Nature Reserve

Discover how Saltwells Nature Reserve transformed from a hotspot of criminal behavior to a thriving conservation area with restored habitats and engaging educational opportunities.

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Uniting Communities for Geological Conservation at Saltwells Nature Reserve

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  1. Changing behavior and perceptions with geological conservation at Saltwells Nature Reserve, Dudley Presented by Alan Preece, Senior Warden 21st Nov 2017

  2. What is Saltwells Nature Reserve? • One of the UK’s biggest urban nature reserves • 2.5 miles long, 100ha • Won the first UNESCO Man & the Biosphere Award and remains only one of 15 in UK to get it. • Has two geological SSSI, one of which is spread over two ownerships. • One Scheduled Ancient Monument relating to mineral extraction • Surrounded by housing and industry with areas of multiple deprivation

  3. Doulton’s Claypit SSSI is protected for its carboniferous coalfield exposures. • It had continued to scrub over from its abandonment in 1930’s. This was reducing its biodiversity (dragonflies and wildflower grassland) and obscuring its geological value. • It was also becoming a hotspot for significant antisocial behaviour inc drug use, arson, dog fights and even the dumping of loaded hand gun and silencer (which I hit with a brush cutter…….)

  4. This needed to reverse, but it was not something we had the staff, equipment or finance to solve, so it was going to be a long haul. Clearing the Claypit • 2011 NE grant for large mulching machine in base of willow. • 2012 to 2015 clearance of grey cliff with staff and volunteers. Continued annual work on base and slope to convert to wildflower grasslands. • 2015 on scheduled NE review slipped into Unfavourable – Recovering condition(pink cliffs still obscured). • 2016 Pink cliffs cleared by staff. • 2017 Open up views from surrounding paths to create vistas.

  5. Getting the community behind us Thousands of volunteer hours were needed for this project to augment work by staff and existing in house volunteers. It was also essential to raise the profile. We teamed up with: • Phoenix Futures Recovery Through Nature (drug & alcohol) • Westminster School SEN work experience/DoE • Corporate volunteers (IHG, NatWestand PwC) • Black Country Geological Society

  6. Bringing in the “police” Working with IKON art gallery for a public event tied to heritage and geology Leading guided walksGaining funding (Tesco) for artistic interpretationGetting a Geo Trail and leaflet put together to stitch it to the rest of the site’s geologyRestoring Brewin’s Canal Section SSSI with permission of CRTTie it firmly to external projects – Black Country UNESCO Geopark submission

  7. Outcomes? • Two geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest better than they have been in decades (regrading of Unfavourable - recovering bought forward to next month due to progress!) • c1ha priority habitat significantly restored • Sustainable management secured • Massively reduced criminal behaviour • People of all ages wanting to explore the once no-go area • Huge improvement in nature conservation and heritage education offer • Happy people!

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