Our family fun day and bat walk at Askham Bog in York, on Saturday 15th September, was a huge success. The day celebrated the reserve and its place in the local community, with opportunities to take part in pond dipping, owl pellet 'CSI' and guided walks.

Around 150 of our visitors recorded their views on the reserve and the impact of the development proposals. Askham Bog is a hugely important wildlife-rich habitat that's so accessible from the city, and is enjoyed by local residents and tourists alike. We're so grateful to everyone who attended - we hope you all had a great day!

Pledge your support

If you missed the event, but would still like to pledge your support and help to save Askham Bog, we'd love for you to get involved. We've provided a letter template for you to use to send to your local MP, encouraging them to consider the impact of the proposals carefully. You can send this as it is, or you can personalise it with your own memories and experiences of Askham Bog. Download a template of the letter below:

You can choose to send it to your local councillor, or we'll do it on your behalf. You can email louise.wilkinson@ywt.org.uk, or send it to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, 1 St George’s Place, York, YO24 1GN.

Why is Askham Bog important?

Askham Bog is a truly exceptional site for wildlife and is loved and valued by the local community. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which means it is nationally important for nature conservation and part of the cultural heritage of York. It is a peaceful place to walk and experience nature in the city.

We object to development proposals on Moor Lane for three reasons:

Hydrology: The wildlife of the site is entirely dependent on the local water table and it is very sensitive to any disturbance.  We are concerned that the housing proposals may damage this hydrology.

Indirect effects: Housing near to nature reserves frequently results in the loss of wildlife through cat predation, dog mess and vandalism. We are concerned that this will be the case at Askham Bog.

Connectivity: Askham’s wildlife, such as woodcocks and invertebrates, are known to use the proposed development site next to the nature reserve. The loss of this area will impact Askham’s ability to survive.