Nature Reserve Projects

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust manages 41 nature reserves throughout the county, from rugged upland oakwood and moorland in the north to bluebell-filled woodland and wildlife-rich former gravel pits in the south.

We are currently carrying out several projects on the reserves.

Great Trees at Barton Pool

This important wetland reserve in the Trent Valley is home to a wide variety of insects and birds. The reserve has several veteran willow trees which provide food, nest sites and shelter for many invertebrates. birds and bats.

As part of the Great Trees Project, the willows at Barton Pool are being pollarded. This is a traditional practice of removing unstable branches from the trees above 2m before they split off from the main trunk under their own weight, reducing the risk of major damage. Pollarding prolongs the life of trees and creates many specific habitats for a diverse range of invertebrates.

We are also producing an interpretation panel for the reserve, which will provide visitors with information about the site and its veteran trees. 

Conservation and Access at Carvers Rocks

Carvers Rocks, on the shore of Foremark Reservoir, is a significant site as it contains one of the last remaining areas of lowland heath in Derbyshire.

This project aims to extend the heathland area by clearing land, spraying bracken and harvesting seed to grow and establish more heather plants.

We are also working to improve access on the reserve by replacing boardwalk in wet areas, and visitors will additionally benefit from the three new interpretation boards that will be installed to inform them about the wildlife at Carvers Rocks.

 Conservation and Amenities at Spring Wood




Spring Wood Nature Reserve lies next to Staunton Harold Reservoir in South Derbyshire.

Various improvements are taking place at the reserve. We have recently installed two floating rafts, which we hope will provide new breeding sites for common terns, which despite their name are declining in number.

To help see the variety of birdlife on the reserve, a new hide has been installed. We are also training volunteers to survey veteran trees on at Spring Wood, which features mixed woodland including birch, oak, ash and alder.

All of the above projects are supported by funding from Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) through the Landfill Communities Fund.