Saved for Nature!

A small victory has been won for nature in Yatton. Residents have rallied to help YACWAG take a one-time opportunity to buy a new piece of land.   

Tony Moulin, YACWAG’s Chairperson, explained, ‘The field next to our original Kenn Moor Reserve came up for sale and that prompted a discussion between local residents and YACWAG about a partnership to buy the four-acre site next door.’  

Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group has been creating nature reserves around the two North Somerset parishes for 25 years. This latest purchase makes a total of 15 fields where nature is a top priority. In those 25 years Barn Owls and Kestrels have returned to Congresbury Moor thanks to the rough grassland management which encourages an abundance of the voles they feed on. On Kenn Moor Reserve YACWAG has created damp conditions enjoyed by wetland birds like Snipe that spend the winter there. The fields are also used by badgers, otters, deer and foxes.  

The land will be allowed to recover slowly from years of horse grazing and YACWAG will be keeping a close eye on what nature does next. Light grazing by cattle will help insects and let the land recover.

The residents of Bramblewood who raised half the money know they now have a special place for nature on their doorstep forever. YACWAG is grateful to them and also to the two local residents who left YACWAG money in their wills which enabled the charity to complete the purchase. 

Tony said, ‘These are tough times for nature, with climate change affecting most wildlife and our green spaces under all kinds of pressures, but with the support of the community YACWAG can continue to provide safe havens to give nature its best chance.’