Ashford boasts first town centre river
corridor Local Nature Reserve in country
The launch of the Ashford Green Corridor Local Nature
Reserve (LNR) is to take place on the 24th April . The launch
will include wildlife activities for local children, a guided walk and an
official opening by the mayor of Ashford.
The LNR is the first town centre – river based LNR in
the country. It is based around the Great Stour, East Stour and the
Aylesford Stream and should prove to be vital for both wildlife and
people.
The Ashford Green Corridor project has worked closely
with English Nature and Ashford Borough Council to achieve this important
landmark. Anna Gundrey from English Nature said ‘ it is vitally
important to recognise the importance of wildlife in urban areas and to
provide opportunities for communities to learn about the wildlife they
have in their locality’. Ashford Green Corridor Officer, Rosemary Hoare
said ‘the launch will be a great opportunity for local children to
discover that wildlife is not restricted to rural areas and is in fact
very accessible to them’.
The Ashford Green Corridor Project is sponsored by
Ashford Borough Council, Brett Environment Trust, Kent County Council,
Rail Link Countryside Initiative, and Wildspace! - English Nature’s
scheme using National Lottery money from the New Opportunities Fund to
improve and create Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) where they are needed
most, helping local communities to explore nature on their doorstep. It is
managed by the Kentish Stour Countryside Project and works in partnership
with local people to enhance the Green Corridor in Ashford.
