| Background and site description |
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This is an active complex of sand and gravel quarries working at a low level. Restoration of much of the site is on-going, and includes maintenance of a 44 hectare wildlife reserve, begun in 1983. The site falls within the Lee Valley Regional Park.
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| Initiative |
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Although restoration was originally aimed at landscape and recreational use, this was altered – with the support of the local mineral planning authority – to a predominantly nature conservation interest through the establishment of a Steering Group which includes a local ecologist and the mineral company. The site comprises a series of lakes and wetlands. The focus has been on creating reedbeds, and on encouraging breeding bittern (already a winter visitor). The site received funding from Land Fill tax for the reedbed work, which ties in directly with the Species Action Plan for the bittern. Site management is overseen by the conservation officer of the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, who is also a Steering Group member. The site has won a number of industry awards.
Otters were released on the site in conjunction with the Otter Trust and have subsequently bred successfully.
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| Costs |
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- Around £5,000pa, depending on maintenance levels required.
- Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust awarded £20,000 from Land Fill tax funds, which was spent on site management projects.
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| Benefits |
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- Excellent relationships with local residents, conservation groups and the mineral planning authority.
- Groups of visitors are guided around the site and given comprehensive promotional literature.
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| Contribution to biodiversity |
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- Reedbeds are a priority UK BAP habitat.
- The bittern and otter are both Short List UK BAP species for which Action Plans have been prepared. Thus, Amwell is an example of a site where UK BAP targets are being pursued actively.
- The site also has close links with the LBAP, nurtured by a long-standing member of the site’s Steering Committee.
- The site is a particularly good example of biodiversity in general terms as it has high species richness.
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| Contact |
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Hertfordshire County Council
The Biodiversity Officer
Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre
c/o Environment Department
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall
Pegs Lane
Hertford
Hertfordshire SG13 8DN
01992 555220
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