A NEW Herefordshire nature reserve has had its grand opening, with a Herefordshire MP cutting the ribbon.

Staff and volunteers from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust were joined by Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire, along with National Highways, Herefordshire Ornithological Club and Herefordshire Community Foundation at the long-awaited opening of the reserve on August 28.

The new reserve, Oak Tree Farm, is a 30-acre site which slopes down to the river Lugg below Dinmore Hill. The reserve has been years in the making, with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust purchasing the site in September 2020 following a successful fundraising appeal.

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Over the last few years, work has been underway to restore the site for nature including creating wildflower meadows and planting hedgerows.

The reserve lies between Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve and Wellington Gravel Pit, which the trust has said are both excellent sites for wetland birds, and it is hoped that this new reserve will offer a "stepping stone" along the Lugg Valley for species such as lapwing and oystercatcher.

The wetland also positively impacts the river Lugg, supporting natural flood management, holding water within the landscape, and reducing pollution to the river.

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Frances Weeks, head of nature action at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust said it had been exciting to see the project develop over the years, and see the site "transform into a thriving nature reserve".

Ms Weeks added that the new reserve was just "one gem" within the Lugg Valley, and that the trust hoped to continue "restoring and connecting" habitats for wildlife throughout the landscape, so that in can become plentiful of wildlife and enjoyed by all.

 Susan Standley, head of designated funds at National Highways, said they were proud to have supported the project, and it was a joy to see it come to life.

“Wetlands benefit the ecosystem by reducing pollution and improving water quality, and they provide a home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife and wetland plants. Projects such as this are why we have the designated funds scheme – to help bring important and long-lasting benefits to the environment, boost biodiversity and support a greener, more sustainable road network,” she said.