Celebrating a Milestone Year
In July 2024, YACWAG marked its 25th anniversary – a quarter-century of protecting wildlife and inspiring people across Yatton and Congresbury.
From a small local group to a thriving community charity, YACWAG now manages more than 50 acres of land, works with over 50 volunteers and connects with almost 900 people online.
The year has been one of exceptional activity, from land acquisitions and wildlife surveys to youth engagement and national collaborations, all reflecting YACWAG’s enduring mission to link people and nature.
Land & Habitat: Expanding Wild Spaces
New Reserve: Maslens on Kenn Moor
In November 2024, YACWAG purchased its 15th parcel of land – a field on Kenn Moor SSSI, extending the Bramblewood reserve.
Named ‘Maslens’ in honour of long-time supporters Peter and Cora Maslen, the acquisition was made possible through their bequests and generous contributions from neighbouring residents.
Ten new apple trees, planted with help from Thatchers’ Community Orchard Project, now mark the start of a new chapter for this reserve.
Strengthening Cobthorn Reserve
Further expansion of the Cobthorn Reserve was achieved through grants from the Environment Agency and North Somerset Council.
Together with the Forest of Avon Trust and CPRE, volunteers planted and restored over 200 metres of hedgerow and received hands-on hedge-laying training – new skills that volunteers have since applied across other YACWAG sites.
Ongoing Habitat Work
- Watering and care continued for 46 young trees planted the previous year.
- Regular Dormouse surveys took place at the new Paddocks field and Kings Wood, training new volunteers to gain survey licences.
- YACWAG also assisted Avon Wildlife Trust on survey work at Goblin Combe, part of the ‘Wilder Woodlands’ project.
- Five joint work parties with North Somerset Council’s Ranger Service improved biodiversity at Yatton Junction, the gateway to the Strawberry Line, creating wildflower banks and reducing antisocial behaviour.
People & Participation: Nature on Every Doorstep
Community involvement flourished this year.
- YACWAG’s ‘Nature on Your Doorstep’ programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, connected young people with local wildlife through the Congresbury Youth and After-School Clubs. Events like bioblitzes and themed sessions on bats, dark skies and pollinators encouraged curiosity and outdoor learning.
- Three students also completed volunteering for their Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold Awards, and a postgraduate researcher used YACWAG’s Congresbury Moor reserve to study how solar farms affect bat behaviour – showing the charity’s growing role in real-world conservation research.
Wildlife Monitoring & Surveys
Behind the scenes, YACWAG’s dedicated volunteers kept up a wide range of long-term monitoring:
- 78 bird boxes and 12 owl boxes were maintained across reserves, schools, churches, and private sites.
- Five bird walks and 13 bird surveys were carried out at Littlewood and along the Strawberry Line.
- The North Somerset Levels & Moors Bird Survey, one of the longest-running in the region (started 1995), completed 36 surveys – now administered by YACWAG after being transferred from the RSPB.
- Volunteers also supported St Andrew’s School in the Big Schools Birdwatch and helped maintain their nest boxes.
Events, Talks & Community Spirit
Throughout the year, YACWAG created countless ways for people to get involved:
- A vibrant Autumn/Winter talk series covered topics such as ‘The Right Light at Night’, ‘Connections in the Landscape’, ‘25 Years of Bird Surveying on the Strawberry Line’ and ‘The State of Our Rivers’.
- Guided walks explored nature-friendly farms at Kingston Seymour and the Belmont Estate’s Watercress Farm.
- YACWAG joined the Bristol Festival of Nature, hosting an open event and moth night at Cobthorn Paddocks.
- Stalls at Yatton Schools Carnival, Congresbury Fete, and Broad Street Christmas Fair reached hundreds of residents.
The year’s strong volunteer network, over 50 active people, played a vital role in every success, from habitat management to event organisation and fundraising.
25 Years of Growth
Since acquiring its first ten-acre field in 1999, YACWAG has:
- Expanded to manage over 50 acres (21 ha) of nature reserves and orchards.
- Built partnerships with Natural England, the Environment Agency, North Somerset Council and many others.
- Two local conservation-minded farmers continue to provide essential land-management expertise, ensuring the reserves thrive for both people and wildlife.
Challenges & Reflections
While this anniversary year was full of progress, several challenges remain:
- Increasing development pressure in the area continues to threaten key habitats, requiring ongoing advocacy and consultation.
- Volunteer capacity must keep pace with growing activity.
- Climate variability adds uncertainty to habitat management – particularly in maintaining wetland and meadow balance.
- Ensuring long-term funding for new land acquisitions and reserve maintenance remains a strategic priority.
Looking Ahead
As YACWAG enters its next 25 years, the goals are clear:
- Strengthen habitat corridors linking reserves across Yatton and Congresbury.
- Deepen youth and community participation.
- Expand citizen science and biodiversity monitoring.
- Secure sustainable funding and future-proof land management.
From a single field to a thriving network of nature reserves, YACWAG’s story is one of perseverance, partnership and hope.