Hundreds of native tree saplings have been planted in Staveley Woodlands near Kendal by local people who campaigned to save Craggy Wood
Volunteers in Staveley planted around 300 native tree saplings on land that will extend and link up the much-loved Craggy Wood to neighbouring Dorothy Farrer’s Spring Wood.
This newly-created area of woodland will create a wildlife corridor between the two woods, which are managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
The saplings were grown from seed by local people in their back gardens and yards, and tended by volunteers in a specially-created tree nursery in Staveley allotments, in space which was gifted by the parish council.
Among the native species they planted are oak, hazel, rowan, dog rose, blackthorn, hawthorn, bird cherry, wild cherry and alder.
After planting the 300 saplings, the volunteers, who included those who have sponsored a tree in the woodlands, put down surplus fleece around the base of the saplings. This will protect them, by supressing weeds and adding nutrients to the soil.
Danni Chalmers, Staveley Woodlands Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day of planting today, putting in around 300 trees. Thank you so much to everyone who got stuck in, despite the rain, to create this wonderful new area of woodland! It’s very rewarding to know that from these saplings, trees will be growing for years to come, becoming part of the wonderful Lake District landscape. Creating a wildlife corridor like this is a vital: linking these special woodland habitats will really benefit the wonderful array of birds, animals, plants and insects that these ancient woods support.”
This special day for Staveley follows several years of campaigning and commitment to the woodlands by the local community.
In 2017, a group of residents and their friends got together to save Craggy Wood from being sold into private ownership after the Lake District National Park authority put it up for sale.
Following a campaign, £120,000 was raised to purchase the wood, via donations from the public and from the Banister Charitable Trust. Cumbria Wildlife Trust took ownership of the wood then, and is managing it for the benefit of wildlife.
Some of those who have been involved with the campaign from the very start took part in the planting day, including Dave Plumb, member of the Craggy Wood Steering Group.
Dave said: “My children, then my grandchildren have loved playing in these woods – families here have loved it for generations. When the national park proposed to put Craggy for sale on the open market, it seemed to me vital that such a beautiful place should stay in public hands and be open and accessible to all. This was achieved a while ago through the transfer of ownership to Cumbria Wildlife Trust as long-term guardians of this magic place. It was great to be out in the rain today with other volunteers, planting the beginnings of the new woodland corridor – it will benefit wildlife, biodiversity, and the future enjoyment of everyone.”
Anne Salisbury, Staveley Parish Councillor and chair of Craggy Wood Steering Group, said: “Craggy Wood has been open to the public for many years now, and whilst the public rights of way through it would have stayed once the national park sold it, we, the community didn’t want it to go into private hands. I and many others were keen to keep it in public ownership so we set up a partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The charity gave us much help to seek funding, most of which came from individual donations from the community, as well as a much wider interest from those who know the woodland and were keen to help. So to have it in public ownership with current and future rights of way through it, for all to enjoy, is a fantastic result!”
The Staveley residents and other supporters of the Save Craggy Wood campaign have recently been nominated as one of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s #60ForNature nature heroes, part of the charity’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
