Cash boost fits bill for work to conserve wildlife at wetland

The Long Preston Wet Grassland Project was started in 2004 with the aim of enhancing important habitats of the Ribble floodplain between Long Preston and Settle by working closely with farmers to manage the environment for farming and wildlife.

In early spring the site provides a habitat of national importance for a range of breeding waders, as well as other winter wildfowl species such as teal, pintail and wigeon.

Now the project is continuing thanks to a grant of £18,347 from the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme, a community-led rural development grant scheme. Over £4,000 has also been secured from the RSPB and Natural England.

This new phase will bring a minimum of 60 acres into management and will include planting woodland. The project also aims to improve access and understanding of the site and encourage visitors to enjoy the Long Preston floodplain’s wildlife and landscape.

Dave Tayler, the deputy director at the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust who is involved in overseeing the project, said: “The site now provides a valuable and varied habitat for nationally important wading birds and aquatic plants, including species such as curlew, redshank, snipe and lapwing, along with the rare northern spike-rush. At the peak of the season the area can be home to an impressive gathering of 2,500 birds.”

The project means visitors can already access the wet grassland area.