Get closer to nature in the city this autumn

This week Bristol City Council have declared four Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) as part of European Green Capital year. The new sites are Avon New Cut, Lamplighters Marsh, Narroways Millennium Green, and Northern Slopes, taking the total in the city to twelve.

 

Councillor Daniella Radice, Assistant Mayor for Neighbourhoods with responsibility for environments, announced the four new nature reserve locations earlier this week.

“One of the key ambitions of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital is to make the city a world-leading, nature rich urban environment where people are connected to the landscape around them.

“You might be surprised by the number of wildlife havens a short distance from your home”.

On Thursday, children from Victoria Park Primary walked up to the Northern Slopes, one of the new nature reserves, to enjoy seasonal activities and discover a wild space just a short walk from their school and homes.

The boys and girls enjoyed breathtaking views of the city while they joined volunteers from the new reserve in litter picking and other activities. 

Year 4 student Talise Dakin said:

“I find litter picking really interesting. It’s important so that animals don’t eat it.

“You get a perfect view. It’s nice when it’s sunny.

“We have a map so I know where we are. So I can explore and keep checking on the map”.

Amid ripe blackberries and the odd apple tree, the children were tasked with finding colours on a paint chart to match the range of autumnal shades in the reserve.

Another student, Manu Roy, said, “We’ve been looking for different types of leaves. I found most, but not all”.

Bristol City Council is supporting a series of free autumn walks at the Local Nature Reserves from “nocturnal nature” to an “owl prowl” to “sensory nature”. 

These walks will be led by volunteers and local communities.

There will also be three “Cycle for Health Rides” in Lawrence Weston Moor, Manor Woods (Hartcliffe), and Royate Hill (Easton).

George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol said: 

“What better way to embrace our city’s green capital status than by visiting one of these new protected sites?

“If you have not yet got involved in the Bristol 2015 #do15 campaign, this is the perfect opportunity.

“Instead of jumping in the car for day out this autumn, you could visit one of these beautiful Local Nature Reserves”.

Bristol has some of the best parks and green spaces of any city in the UK and it’s important we nurture and protect them so we can continue to enjoy them.

Pledge to leave no trace and enjoy Bristol’s green spaces and wildlife as part of our #do15 campaign.