YACWAG Review 2020–2021

A Year of Adaptation & Foundations

The 2020–21 year was defined by adaptation: COVID-19 restrictions continued to limit much of the usual on-the-ground work, but YACWAG remained active in conservation, volunteer coordination, education and planning.

Even during lockdowns, creativity, partnerships and remote engagement allowed the charity to maintain momentum and lay groundwork for future growth.

YACWAG also began preparing for the transfer of land in Congresbury under a Section 106 planning agreement to support Greater Horseshoe Bat mitigation.

Key Highlights & Success Stories

Securing Long-Term Stewardship & Grants

• In early 2021, YACWAG secured a five-year Countryside Stewardship (Higher Tier) grant, effective from January 2021, enabling more sustained habitat work.
• Work began on a ditch and scrub management plan for the Strawberry Line Local Nature Reserve in collaboration with Natural England.
• Despite restrictions, a small apple orchard at Kenn Moor was installed and an oak tree was planted at Harry’s Plot (Claverham) in memory of two local residents.

Mixed Survey & Habitat Work

• YACWAG erected four owl boxes; two replacing old ones on YACWAG reserves and two donated ones installed at Cadbury Hill.
• Fifty-four bird boxes were checked across YACWAG reserves, the Strawberry Line, churchyard and other local sites.
• A regular fungus survey was started at Littlewood in partnership with the Bristol & North Somerset Fungus Group.
• Bird monitoring continued across the reserves and the Strawberry Line; although some surveys were curtailed by COVID, 21 out of 27 planned ones went ahead.
• During Christmas, the Christmas bird survey achieved a record response, with over 100 residents and members submitting sightings.
• Publicity was received in the local press and radio through the discovery of the rare Yellow Loosestrife Bee at the Stowey reserve.
• The discovery of a rare horsefly at the Congresbury Moor reserve received recognition through a paper published in the British Journal of Entomology.

Communication, Membership & Online Engagement

• Membership held at around 250 people, while the Facebook group grew to just over 400 members.
• The website was upgraded to be mobile-friendly.
• With in-person events largely curtailed, YACWAG maintained visibility through virtual events:
  • A “virtual” village fete presence for Congresbury;
  • A socially distanced Tree Dressing Day at St Andrew’s School;
  • A full programme of Zoom public talks, starting with a presentation by Nikki Jones of Avon Needs Trees, plus other topics such as planning, nature, etc.
• YACWAG Trustees and Committees met via Zoom; policies were reviewed and updated, along with banking arrangements and a 5-year rolling plan to bolster resilience under COVID conditions.

Partnerships, Planning & Land Transfer

• YACWAG held ongoing discussions with North Somerset Council (aided by local members) about the proposed transfer of land in Congresbury as a mitigation measure for Greater Horseshoe Bats. This was a unique collaboration between North Somerset Council, Natural England and YACWAG to secure biodiversity gain especially for Greater Horseshoe Bats.
• YACWAG engaged with local groups:
  • Worked with Cleeve Church on a draft management plan for its churchyard to help it gain an Eco-Church Bronze award;
  • Shared knowledge and experience with Avon Needs Trees regarding charity management and nature surveys;
  • Liaised with Meadow View Residents’ Group in Claverham on planting an oak at Harry’s Plot;

Challenges & Lessons Learned

• Pandemic restrictions heavily limited in-person surveys, public walks and events – some activity plans had to be postponed or cancelled.
• Volunteer engagement and coordination were tested: with social distancing and safety constraints, adapting roles and maintaining motivation was harder than in regular years.
• Balancing behind-the-scenes work with public engagement: while many internal or ecological tasks could continue, finding ways to keep the public connected with nature during lockdowns was a challenge.
• Complexity of future land transfers: planning and legal work for reserve acquisition require careful negotiation, resources and patience.

Looking Ahead: Building for Recovery & Growth

The 2020–21 year may have been constrained, but it laid important groundwork. Going forward, YACWAG aims to:

• Fully integrate the future land transfer in Congresbury as a reserve expansion.
• Intensify habitat management, especially on the Strawberry Line and across connected reserves.
• Resume and expand in-person volunteer work, surveys, walks and outreach events.
• Strengthen citizen science (birds, bats, insects, fungi) as travel and gathering become easier.
• Continue to develop partnerships with local councils, landowners and conservation bodies to align planning with biodiversity goals.
• Increase public engagement via hybrid events, new projects (especially for youth) and visible habitat improvements.

In a year defined by constraints, YACWAG showed resilience, adaptability and the importance of maintaining vision even when much must be done behind closed doors.