The improvements involve habitat creation and path upgrades at the main entrance and picnic area at The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve near Alfrick. The access work is being funded by a grant from the Malvern Hills AONB, through Defra’s ‘Access for All’ programme, whilst the habitat work is being part-funded by the Natural Networks programme, a partnership project between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
Path diversions will be in place for two weeks, starting from Monday 28th February 2023, and the reserve entrance will be completely closed on Tuesday 7th March.
Dominique Cragg, the Trust’s officer responsible for the work, explained “This is the start of some really exciting work at and near the entrance to this beautiful nature reserve.
“Much of the reserve isn’t accessible to people with limited mobility so by enhancing both the habitats and accessibility near the entrance, more people will be able to enjoy a little of what this special place has to offer.”
The work will involve the installation of better accessible gates and a wheelchair-friendly path at the entrance that leads to a newly refurbished pond.
Alongside the access improvements, the pond, which is next to the picnic area, is being restored and expanded, a bank for mining bees and other insects is being created, bat and bee boxes are being installed and a hibernaculum for amphibians and reptiles is being constructed.
Dominique continued “This is just the start of habitat improvements in this part of the nature reserve. We’re currently recruiting extra funding to continue this work by creating a wildlife-friendly garden besides Knapp House that can feature ideas for visitors to do at home.
“We’re also in the process revamping all the signage on site to help people understand more about the different habitats and wildlife found here.
“The steep slopes make it difficult to make the reserve fully accessible but we are looking at future projects that might be able to offer more accessibility onto the main part of the nature reserve.
“The Knapp is one of our most visited nature reserves and it’s important that people help us protect the wildlife that live here by sticking to paths, keeping dogs on leads and staying out of the Leigh Brook when they visit.”
