Little Woolden Moss – Connections for People and Nature

The project aims to improve people’s connection to nature at Little Woolden Moss by improving the current access footpath across this wonderful restored lowland raised bog, which showcases a rare habitat which has significant local heritage value. The path has suffered disrepair recently and we intend to not only repair it but widen it to make it more user friendly for all people. This is particularly important as it forms part of the route of the new GM Ringway long distance walking route recently launched as a new initiative to encourage people to be more active and enjoy their local green spaces. This will enable us to continue our ongoing community engagement programme encouraging hard to reach groups to access their local natural heritage. The project also aims to make better connections for nature by improving areas of wet willow woodland habitat on the edges of Little Woolden Moss for the endangered willow tit, which is Britains fastest declining resident bird. This will provide better homes for this rare bird as well as helping to connect up a local network of habitats it can make use of for movement and expansion enabling it to respond to pressures. It will also benefit the lowland raised bog habitat adjacent as the woodland areas will be made wetter, complementing the bog. Many other species will also benefit. We will work with volunteers to undertake this work, as well as species surveying, thereby increasing their skills and connections to nature. We will also carry out UK Habs baseline surveys of the habitat so we can assess the scale of improvement at a later date. We will install interpretation signage to increase awareness and appreciation of the wet willow habitat and willow tit needs.