Latest news with #GroundworkYorkshire
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers repel invaders at town freshwater lake
Volunteers are being urged to take part in efforts to restore Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake. Hornsea Mere is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, but environmentalists say pollution and invasive species have taken a toll on the beauty spot, which is one of the region's most important wildlife habitats. Now, the Groundwork Yorkshire charity has been awarded money from the government's Water Restoration Fund to create a plan to deal with the problems. As part of the work, it is asking people to help map invasive species, such as Himalayan balsam, around the shores of the mere. Luke Ball, who is working on the project, said: "We are going to train people up in identifying them and eventually we'll have groups going out and actually removing the invasive species and making sure that the natural species can thrive." Hornsea Mere was carved by a glacier in the last Ice Age. It sits in a huge dip in the landscape and some 12,000 acres of rural and urban land drains into it. Identifying where pollution is running from and working out how to prevent it is a big part of the project. Helen Ball, who also works for the charity, said it was the "most perfect location for wildlife" but "has so many challenges". "The water is receiving all the pollutants and all the issues from the surrounding catchment, even down to washing our cars with shampoo on the driveway," she said. "It's ultimately going to feed straight down into the mere." Groundwork Yorkshire said it was working alongside the trustees of the Wassand Hall estate – which includes the mere. Further funding would be sought to put the completed plan into action. Anyone interested in getting involved is asked to contact Groundwork Yorkshire. Groundwork Yorkshire Plan to help revitalise town's freshwater lake Top spots for spring bird migration Shoots of hope for critically endangered marsh pea
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Hornsea Mere: Volunteers to repel invaders at freshwater lake
Volunteers are being urged to take part in efforts to restore Yorkshire's largest freshwater Mere is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, but environmentalists say pollution and invasive species have taken a toll on the beauty spot, which is one of the region's most important wildlife the Groundwork Yorkshire charity has been awarded money from the government's Water Restoration Fund to create a plan to deal with the part of the work, it is asking people to help map invasive species, such as Himalayan balsam, around the shores of the mere. Luke Ball, who is working on the project, said: "We are going to train people up in identifying them and eventually we'll have groups going out and actually removing the invasive species and making sure that the natural species can thrive." Hornsea Mere was carved by a glacier in the last Ice Age. It sits in a huge dip in the landscape and some 12,000 acres of rural and urban land drains into where pollution is running from and working out how to prevent it is a big part of the Ball, who also works for the charity, said it was the "most perfect location for wildlife" but "has so many challenges"."The water is receiving all the pollutants and all the issues from the surrounding catchment, even down to washing our cars with shampoo on the driveway," she said."It's ultimately going to feed straight down into the mere."Groundwork Yorkshire said it was working alongside the trustees of the Wassand Hall estate – which includes the funding would be sought to put the completed plan into interested in getting involved is asked to contact Groundwork Yorkshire.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Groundwork Yorkshire secures grant to revitalise Hornsea Mere
A grant to help revitalise Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake has been secured by a community and environmental Yorkshire said Hornsea Mere, located within the Wassand Hall estate in East Yorkshire, faced a number of environmental challenges, including deteriorating water quality, invasive non-native species and recreational said the funding would be used to work with partners to develop an action plan for the entire catchment area, with practical conservation work planned, including the removal of invasive award is from the government's Water Restoration Fund, which offers grants for area specific water-related schemes. The charity's regional operations director Peter Murphy said the lake was an important area for wildlife, especially added: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to work collaboratively on the production of a development plan for the mere and its catchment, with a view to securing further funding to deliver meaningful and long-lasting changes."As part of the project, community volunteers are also being encouraged to get project team has set up a dedicated contact email for anyone who may be interested. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
