My Local Patch

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, though not from there originally 

- I came to study here and haven't left yet. 

Despite my city dwelling status at present I am rather spoiled for choice in terms of local green space, sadly I seem to be in a minority in appreciating these local sites because many of them, council owned, have no form of formal management for the wildlife potential. This is a massive shame and something I have tried and am still trying to address. So far the responses to my communications with the council have been... lack lustre? Pathetic may be more appropriate.

While I have toyed with the idea of blogging for a while my mind was finally made up when I read about the BBC Wildlife Magazine 'Local Patch Reporters', and as such I've tried to make this blog fit in with the focus while also allowing me an opportunity to record my 'wild life' (get it!?). 

Therefore, my 'local patches' include a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) just a few hundred yards away, Coyney Woods, predominantly a woodland area with an area of scrubby grassland adjacent, but also including several small pockets of remnant woodland split off and isolated among the sprawl of residential streets which completely surround it - the area runs to about 75 acres in total. 

Not much further away, about a mile, is the border of a Country Park, Park Hall, which includes a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) area and a National Nature Reserve (NNR). A former quarry site, it has been restored to create a range of habitats including woodland, flower meadows, ponds and heathland. In addition it is one of the highest points in the local area providing wide ranging views across the Staffordshire countryside and up towards to Peak District. 

Conveniently both of these are readily accessible via a minor detour to the walk I take with my daughter to school, allowing me regular and very satisfying detours to 'go wild' for a little while. As a result these two sites will form a significant portion of what I will pen down. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are many other pockets of wild space around - river valleys, pockets of woodland, brownfield sites and others - which are often un-designated and unrecognised in any official way for their value and interest but never-the-less provide an opportunity to connect with the natural world. Travelling slightly further afield there are various other LNR's, county Wildlife Trust sites, river valleys, canal networks, old train lines, footpaths and cycleways ripe to be explored. 

Widening the net yet further, but still within the realms of 'local' I can be up in the Peak District or down at Cannock Chase, within 45 mins, or at any number of county wildlife sites. 

Finally I have the added advantage of a very personal, although not strictly 'local' patch. As part of my work as Project Manager of The Riddy Wood Project I manage approx. 55 acres of woodland in Cambridgeshire. These woodlands are leased and have no public right of way so I get to enjoy these all to myself when I am there, which over the winter will be increasingly regularly to do the coppicing we need to get done. I could talk at some length over these sites but will leave the blog posts to do their work.