HEREFORDSHIRE Wildlife Trust (HWT) has received a £40,000 donation to save and restore one of the county's nature reserves

Severn Waste Services have donated the money to the trust’s appeal to purchase a 14-acre pasture within the wildlife-rich landscape of the Woolhope Dome in Herefordshire.

The site is important as it is close to other nature reserves that form part a network of nature-friendly places through which wildlife can move – essential for many species.

The trust is concerned that allowing the meadow to be sold on the open market risks it being lost to unsympathetic management or agricultural intensification. Purchasing the site will ensure it remains protected for wildlife for the future.

Severn Waste Services are long-term supporters of HWTand have funded many projects over the last ten years, either directly or via the landfill communities fund.

Jim Haywood, financial director of Severn Waste Services said it was a great pleasure to support HWT.

He said: “HWT is a small trust that works hard to have a big impact and Severn Waste are pleased to be able to stand with it in some small way to help it achieve its goals.”

The Trust launched a public appeal to raise funds to buy and restore the meadow earlier this year and have already raised over £42,000 from donations from the public.

The Trust’s Chief Executive Helen Stace said: “The wildlife trusts are campaigning for '30 by 30'. Restoring and protecting at least 30% of land and sea for wildlife by 2030.

"Saving this beautiful meadow for future generations is another important step towards this goal. Wild places where nature can flourish are so important and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far to save another small piece of Herefordshire for wildlife."

Though already rich in many species of wildflower, HWT intend to restore Ail Meadow as a traditional hay meadow which will allow wildflowers to flourish along with bees and butterflies.

Small mammals will find shelter and food in the thick native hedgerows which will also be bustling with small birds such as blackcaps and yellowhammer. Meadows such as these are essential to many wildlife species, yet 97% have been lost since 1935.