Nature Connections

The Nature Connections project showed the potential of hidden green spaces along our streams for creating space for people and wildlife. Thanks to a grant from the Green Recovery Fund we were able to improve two urban spaces to allow more nature to thrive and allow more people to enjoy it.

The project two place in two very different locations. Alongside the River Aire in the Baildon (north Bradford) valley and at Postman's Walk in Keighley.

Water as a healing force for local people

‘Nature Connections’ wanted to connect people from Baildon and Keighley to their local waterways and bring the benefits of nature to local communities.

In Baildon a new floodable meadow is reducing the risk of flooding to homes in Bradford and Leeds. Shallow dips dug on the site will fill with water in winter slowing the flow of water off the valley sides. This damp ground will allow wildflowers to flourish. Wet meadows are a rare and endangered space for wildlife. Volunteers worked hard sowing wildflower seed, cutting hay and clearing plants that damage wildlife.

In Keighley we removed trees from a densely wooded stream valley to allow bulbs and wildflowers to cover the woodland floor. Volunteers removed 100s of bags of litter and the area was made more welcoming to discourage substance abuse and antisocial behaviour. What was once an abandoned space has now become a green space with children playing and picking wildlflowers.

Flood Storage

A meadow with space for nature and flood water

Community green spaces

Returning urban pocket parks to local people

Local Keighley MP Robbie Moore welcomed the project, “It is great to see that local charities like the Aire Rivers Trust are being recognised for the work they do to promote the River Aire and their efforts to restore nature."

“It is important that we provide the right support to charities like this, which are promoting biodiversity and using our natural surroundings in the fight against climate change. This is a key part of the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan to kickstart nature recovery and tackle climate change so we can build back greener following coronavirus.”Many of us are now starting to recognise the benefits waterways bring to our communities and wellbeing. Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, summed it up as he said: “Supporting our natural environment is one of the most valuable things we can do right now. All these projects are of huge benefit to our beautiful countryside and wildlife, but will also support jobs, health and wellbeing, which are vitally important as we begin to emerge from the coronavirus crisis.”

© Copyright Aire Rivers Trust 2020
The Aire Rivers Trust is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No: 07464227 and a Registered Charity No: 1145609
Registered Office at: 38 Morton Lane, East Morton, Keighley BD20 5RS