Spanning across 190 acres of land in Derbyshire, the partnership has focused on protecting and regenerating the former Lightwood Reservoir and former Cowdale Quarry, where some of the site’s water sources are based. Its objective is to help enhance biodiversity on the land, safeguard the quality of water underneath, and create lasting benefits for the local community. 

The work could not have been achieved without the help of local volunteers working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. To celebrate them and recognise their great effort, the volunteers were invited to an exclusive guided tour of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust’s Visitor Experience to learn more about the history of Buxton town and its waters. They then enjoyed a tour of the BUXTON and NESTLÉ PURE LIFE waters bottling site and of the on-site wildflower meadow and community garden, where they met with factory volunteers, including beekeepers. 

It was also an opportunity to learn more about Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK sustainability strategy and projects. In particular, the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust volunteers were the very first to see the new report summarising the brilliant land management work that has taken place over the past five years and spotlighting some of the people involved.

Kyle Winney, Living Landscape Officer, White Peak at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: 

“This partnership has delivered important impacts over the last five years. Lightwood and Cowdale are being restored making significant contributions to landscape-scale nature recovery and are important spaces that inspire and connect local communities to wildlife. With support from our incredible volunteers, we’re really proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to see these spaces deliver even more for nature and local people.”

Hannah Phillips, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters Buxton, added:

“Celebrating five years of partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is a proud moment for us. Their expertise has helped us restore two incredible sites at Cowdale and Lightwood, which is supporting biodiversity, engaging our community, and safeguarding the quality of water for future generations. A huge thank you to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust team and all the dedicated volunteers that make all of this possible.”

Highlights from the five-year mark of the partnership: 

Lightwood

• More than 1,500 species recorded, including rare and protected wildlife such as the Essex Skipper Butterfly, Parasitic Wasp, and Clarkes Mining Bee
• 25 bird boxes installed and 250 native trees planted
• Ongoing care of the on-site pond and the site’s infrastructure, including dry-stone walling
• Launch of a Wild Map to monitor and record species

Cowdale (36 hectares)

• More than 550 species recorded, including the Small Heath Butterfly, Melancholy Thistle, and Rock-rose
• 26 butterfly species recorded in 2025 – an increase vs previous years
• 1,535 native trees planted
• Scrub removal to support species-rich grassland
• Infrastructure improvements including fencing to allow conservation grazing
• Introducing native grazing using Exmoor Ponies
• Use of an innovative, wildlife-friendly method to remove invasive Japanese Knotweed

You can access the full report here