Latest news with #NatureReserve
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The award-winning Surrey park perfect for long walks and wildlife spotting
Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve has won its 19th consecutive Green Flag Award. This recognition is given to parks and green spaces that meet the international quality standard. Councillor Liz Frost, chair of the environment committee, said: "We are incredibly proud that Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve has received its 19th consecutive Green Flag Award. "This is an outstanding achievement and a true testament to the dedication and hard work of our countryside team, volunteers, and partners as they create and maintain habitats that help biodiversity to flourish." Epsom Common joins 2,250 UK parks meeting top environmental standards (Image: Green Flag Award) Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve is a site of special scientific interest due to its rare insects and important breeding bird habitat. It hosts various habitats, including oak woods, open pasture, woodland, and wetland environments. It is home to species such as cotton spotted orchids and purple emperor butterflies. Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve is one of 2,250 parks and green spaces in the UK to have received the award. Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved in Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award. "Quality parks and green spaces like Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve make the country a healthier place to live and work in and a stronger place in which to invest." Mr Todd also emphasised the importance of these green spaces during the ongoing cost of living crisis, describing them as a "free and safe space for families to socialise." Read more MPs have Disabled people's 'lives in their hands' but do they really understand? All the best bits to look out for at Kingston 2025 festival this weekend He said that they provide significant opportunities for people to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of green space. The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under a licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. Find out more about the walks and tours taking place at Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, managed by the countryside team at the council, by visiting the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council website. Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve dates back to Saxon times and is a nationally and internationally important wildlife site.
IOL News
30-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Western Cape declares Wilderness Nature Reserve to protect biodiversity
The Wilderness Nature Reserve Image: CapeNature In a significant stride towards bolstering environmental conservation, the Western Cape has officially declared the Wilderness Nature Reserve, encompassing over 643 hectares near Heidelberg. Declared as a Provincial Nature Reserve on 17 July 2025, this new sanctuary plays a crucial role in preserving freshwater biodiversity, safeguarding endangered species, and establishing vital ecological corridors. The Wilderness Nature Reserve features a wealth of biodiversity, including the Critically Endangered Breede River Redfin. It also provides a crucial breeding area for the Black Harrier, recognised as the rarest raptor in southern Africa, and classified as an Endangered species. This new reserve is not just a haven for wildlife; it is paramount for maintaining the delicate balance of local ecosystems. Approximately 615 hectares of the reserve have been designated as a Priority Biodiversity Area, linking directly to the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area—a formally protected Provincial Nature Reserve recognised as part of a World Heritage Site. This strategic connection enhances biodiversity conservation efforts across the region. MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, praised the collaborative efforts between CapeNature and various landowners that led to this declaration. 'This new reserve is not only a haven for wildlife; it is paramount for maintaining the delicate balance of local ecosystems,' he said. 'Our commitment to expanding protected areas is essential in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change.' The establishment of the Wilderness Nature Reserve is a proactive measure that guarantees the long-term health and resilience of the province's biodiversity. It protects critical components of the ecosystem, ensuring that vital species have a secure habitat where they can flourish. Moreover, this nature reserve serves as a key ecological link to the adjoining Boosmansbos Nature Reserve, significantly enhancing the overall network of protected areas. The properties hold immense conservation value, not only by offering habitat for threatened species but also through their contribution to essential ecosystem services, acting as a critical catchment for the Duivenhoks Dam that supplies water to communities downstream. Landowners interested in protecting their land formally are encouraged to reach out to CapeNature's Antia Wheeler at awheeler@ or Kaylin Reid at kreid@ for guidance and assistance.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Weed-eating goats return to Lethbridge for another summer of yum
The City of Lethbridge has rehired 205 weed-eating goats to graze various neighbourhoods in the summer of 2025 The goats of summer are back in Lethbridge for another weed-eating season. The city posted the news on its social media Thursday, 'The great grazin' goats (not their official title…) are eating their way through leafy spurge, wormwood and thistle,' they wrote. 'It's their seventh annual tour of duty in Lethbridge.' The goats will be herded between three different communities over the coming weeks, starting with two weeks at Indian Battle/Botterill Bottom Parks until June 23. Lethbridge goats, June 12, 2025 Over 200 goats will be grazing various Lethbridge parks this summer, their seventh season of weed eating. (Karsen Marczuk) Then, they move to Alexander Wilderness Park from June 23 through July 7, followed by Pavan Park from July 7 to 21. On Aug. 6, they'll repeat the cycle, spending a week in each location to clean up any regrowth that occurs. The goats have done such a good job over the past six years, their area of coverage may be expanded, a parks spokesperson said. 'After six years, spurge in their typical grazing areas is coming up very sparse,' says Jackie Cardinal, Parks Natural Resource Coordinator. 'So, we might be able to move their buffet into the Nature Reserve, north of the train bridge, for a few days, like we did last year.' The goats are looked after by a skilled herder and a team of dogs, who help guide them and keep them safe from predators. While the dogs are friendly, residents are asked to keep their dogs on a leash away from the herd to allow the goats to do their jobs. For more information on the grazing goats, go here.
The South African
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Cape Town nature reserves free to visit this weekend
The City of Cape Town will once again host its City Nature Challenge this coming weekend from Friday, 25 April to Monday, 28 April, 2025. This means that the City will once again allow free access to its nature reserves during the weekend. The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event where members of the public are encouraged to capture photos of plants and animals found in nature reserves around their city and to then upload their observations on the iNaturalist app. 'This is the 10th anniversary of the City Nature Challenge, and the theme for 2025 is 'Bring the Globe Together for Biodiversity'. This challenge is about documenting the wildlife in our city. All that is required of residents when contributing an observation is to take a photo and upload it onto the iNaturalist app.' the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews said. Participants can download the free iNaturalist app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) and sign up via this link: The following Cape Town nature reserves will offer free entry from 25 to 28 April: Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve Botterblom Nature Reserve Bracken Nature Reserve Durbanville Nature Reserve Edith Stephens Nature Reserve False Bay Nature Reserve Harmony Flats Nature Reserve Helderberg Nature Reserve Steenbras Nature Reserve Table Bay Nature Reserve Tygerberg Nature Reserve Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Wolfgat Nature Reserve Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
