15 February 2005

Get Round to Wildlife

It may be just another roundabout to motorists – albeit the largest in Southern England – but the Shepherd & Flock roundabout at Farnham is actually a haven for wildlife and work is regularly carried out there by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.

Volunteers from BVCP were carrying out habitat improvement work at the roundabout on Tuesday 15th February under the guidance
of Ranger, Tony Anderson, planting trees and hedges aimed at improving the surroundings for wildlife.

In fact the Shepherd & Flock roundabout, together with the immediate surrounding areas, offers a mixture of habitats suitable for a variety of wildlife and are particularly attractive in the summer months when the wildflowers are out attracting butterflies and grasshoppers

“Many people would be surprised at the amount of landscaping associated with the Blackwater Valley Road,” said Steve Bailey, Manager at BVCP. “The work we are doing today is just one part of a long-term management plan designed to maintain and improve the entire Blackwater Valley for wildlife whilst enhancing the visual quality of the environment for local people.”

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership have been managing the roadside landscaping for over five years on behalf of Surrey and Hampshire County Councils  with a remit to:  

• Maintain or improve their biodiversity, to provide more habitat and corridors between isolated islands of biodiversity
• Maintain or improve the physical and visual quality of the local environment folocal people.
• Provide easily accessible greenspace for local people to enjoy 
• Improve the Blackwater Valley Path to provide a multi-user footpath that is suitable for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchair users. 

Volunteers play an important role in carrying out much of this vital maintenance work and the Blackwater Valley Countryside Volunteers meet regularly every Tuesday, working at different locations up and down the Blackwater Valley. If you are interested in joining them or would just like to find out more about the work of the BVCP ring 01252 331353 or visit www.blackwater-valley.org.uk.

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.

Notes

• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
• Members of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership are: Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council; the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Bracknell Forest, Farnham, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley.