Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Latest News

August 2010

Since April 2010, year 2 of the Humberhead Levels Living Landscape project has already seen further advances in delivery of the project objectives with Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) currently being prepared for 3 large land holdings in the River Torne/Hatfield Moor target area. The FEPs are the first stage to entering the land into the Higher Level Scheme (HLS) of environmental stewardship, and give a clear picture of both the current state and the potential of the land. In addition, a total of 27 sites have now been assessed for their potential for wetland enhancement works, and this year will see capital improvement works taking place at Thorpe Marsh Nature Reserve and Saltmarshe Delph Nature reserve as well as pond creation, pond restoration and protection of water vole habitat on private agricultural and non-agricultural land within the project area.

Events are due to take place later in the year to demonstrate the project’s future aims and current achievements.  WATCH THIS SPACE for further details including dates and locations.

May 2010

First year on the Humberhead Levels showing good progress

The first financial year of the Humberhead Levels Living Landscape Project (funded by Natural England’s Wetland Vision) has shown good progress working with various landowners, businesses, communities and other organisations to meet the aims of achieving sustainable land management practices.  Specific wetland creation and enhancement works have been carried out at sites including North Cliffe Wood Nature Reserve in East Yorkshire, Glass Park in Kirk Sandall and Austerfield Mosaic Nature Reserve near Bawtry.  The improvements on those sites will benefit a wide range of wetland species including various bird and invertebrate species.  Completed works include:

•    New pond on the heathland at North Cliffe Wood

•    New woodland pond at North Cliffe Wood

•    Restoration of the pond at Glass Park

•    Creation of a scrape network at Austerfield Mosaic Reserve

March 2010

In total up to March 2010, the project has been able to make contact with 14 landowners and land managers to advise on various aspects of wetland habitat creation and management including funding through Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship scheme and other funding avenues.  This combination of practical works and management advice is starting to develop Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s vision of a Living Landscape across this area.  If you would like to receive wetland management advice and/or Environmental Stewardship advice for your land, please contact Project Officer Tom Hayek on 07795 644122 or tom.hayek@ywt.org.uk

November 2009

 A warm welcome to Tom Hayek, Living Landscape Officer at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for the Humberhead Levels.

After initially graduating in History at Bangor University, Tom spent five years working in the recruitment industry (3 years in Hull, 2 years in Prague).  In 2005 he decided to retrain so that he might pursue a career in conservation, following a     life-long interest.  Securing a place at the Centre for Environmental and Marine Sciences, the Scarborough campus of the University of Hull, he went on to achieve a 1st Class with Honours BSc degree in Ecology.  During this time he volunteered for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust across a number of projects including the undertaking of breeding bird surveys, water vole surveys and assisting with other wetland conservation work.

After graduating in 2008, Tom secured a role as Water for Wildlife Officer with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust where he mainly concentrated on water vole conservation and non-native invasive plant control.  Tom has now returned to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to take up the newly created post of Humberhead Levels Living Landscape Officer.

September 2009

Terry Smithson, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Head of Conservation Projects, said "The Humberhead Levels is an amazing landscape, rich in wildlife and human heritage and offers significant potential to deliver wider ecosystem services including food and fuel production, flood attenuation and biodiversity. This funding will enable the Wildlife Trust to work toward a vision for a Living Landscape, working with other land managers and communities to create connected landscapes which are more resilient in our changing climate."