Staveley nature reserve - Fundraising appeal
Help wildlife and people thrive in harmony at Staveley
Staveley Nature Reserve is a wetland oasis, home to hundreds of plants and animals. 30 years of habitat restoration work by the Trust has transformed what was once a gravel pit into a precious place for nature.
Help us to create a place where wildlife and people can thrive together
Staveley should be a vital refuge for Yorkshire’s threatened wildlife, but equally a place where visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk, and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
If we raise enough funds by Spring 2024, we hope to:
- Build a butterfly bank to encourage rarer species, like the common blue butterfly.
- Re-gravel the lagoon islands, to improve nesting habitat for birds such as tern and avocet.
- Install new handwashing and toilet facilities, allowing us to accommodate educational visits and longer volunteer work days.
- Create a raised dipping pond, so people can get a close up look at the plants, amphibians and insects, such as dragonflies.
![A male migrant hawker dragonfly on the palm of someone's hand who is crouched down low by the grass. It hopped onto her hand to dry off from the rain before flying off](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_default/public/2023-10/382291254_860688152103606_3032499918900944101_n.jpg?itok=jFcB1grz)
As someone who loves Staveley, we need your help to ensure a balance between protecting important habitats, and ensuring our visitors are inspired to love wildlife.
![Pond dipping credit Kat Woolley](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_teaser/public/2018-03/Credit%20Kat%20Woolley%205.jpg?h=41ca23f6&itok=3gflByps)
Donate £30
£30 could go towards materials for the new dipping pond, where children can learn about amphibians and insects![Common blue butterfly on grass](/sites/default/files/styles/grid_teaser/public/2023-05/Common%20Blue%209%20%28m%29%20%28c%29%20Bob%20Coyle.jpg?h=e309cdcb&itok=JC1TQoLo)
Donate £65
£65 could help to build a new butterfly bank, bringing a spectacle of different species to StaveleyDonate £100
£100 could help with the installation of toilet facilities, opening up the possibility of group visits and eventsReserves like Staveley are vital havens for wildlife
At a time when wild places are disappearing, places like Staveley offer a crucial refuge to threatened species. New research from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has revealed that 1 in 4 plant species have declined since before 2000.
At Staveley we have restored 11 hectares of hay meadow to ensure the survival of iconic plant species including;
Bee orchid
Marsh helleborine
Yellow rattle
Ox-eye daisy