Have you ever wondered what your neighbourhood would be like if the woodlands, green spaces and nature areas with which you are so familiar were no longer there? Many people grow to love and cherish their local woodland, park or wildlife area. Most people, it is true to say, also take that local green space very much for granted. Sometimes, however, a group of committed and caring local residents recognise the value of their local green space and work tirelessly for its protection, management and public enjoyment. Community wildlife sites provide a focus for residents to work with a variety of partners to ensure the long-term survival of their local green space. One of the most successful community wildlife sites in the Borough is the open space and reedbed habitat which lies behind the now demolished St Leonard’s primary school and known to locals as the South Saxons Wetlands.
For around 20 years two local residents, Elizabeth Pye and Carol Pierce have been caring for the site, picking litter, talking to people about the value of the area and meticulously recording the wildlife which they see. Out in all weathers and in every season, Carol and Elizabeth have worked tirelessly to help manage the site for the benefit of local wildlife and for the enjoyment of all the people of West St Leonards.
Dedicated: Elizabeth Pye and Carol Pierce
Recognising their hard work and amazing dedication to safeguard this unique wildlife site in the town, the Borough Ecologist helped them focus their ideas into developing an outline management plan for the area. Councillors Dot Kent and Phil Scott were instrumental in bringing together various agencies such as the County Council, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers to an initial meeting in July 1999. the aim was to provide a working partnership with the residents, the Council and other agencies to ensure the long term management of this important wetland habitat. the management forum is a partnership between local residents, Harley Shute Residents Association, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council (as owners of the site), the Environment Agency, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Hastings Badger Protection Society.
As a measure of recognition for their tireless efforts, Elizabeth and Carol were awarded Hastings Borough Council bursaries of £600 for the last two years. This allowed the purchase of protective clothing and equipment for rescuing wildlife which regularly get caught up in discarded fishing lines. However, with so many agencies around the table, the South Saxons Wetlands Project was not going to stop there! the Project was recently awarded £1,538 Lottery money from the Millennium Festival Awards for All grant scheme. the group bought professional display boards and a camera for recording the wildlife and the changing seasons of the nature reserve and now intend to promote the site through displays around the town. A leaflet is also being developed to promote the wildlife of the wildlife of the area. Once complete this will be the first leaflet promoting any community wildlife site in the Borough! Another first for the South Saxons Project.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the management forum is that a greater degree of progress has been achieved through this partnership approach than would be achieved without. Having various partners around the table enables specific partners to take responsibility for ensuring the completion of tasks and gives local residents the benefits of seeing a greater degree of cooperation in getting things done. there is the added benefit of the wealth of expertise and experience of the individual partners.
Earlier this year Hastings Borough Council awarded both Carol and Elizabeth coveted Civic Pride Awards in recognition of their tireless efforts in promoting and protecting one of the most unique habitats in the Borough over a great many years. What a great achievement. Never ones to sit back, both Carol and Elizabeth are still out there ever day they can, litter picking, patrolling, organising and taking informal walks, talking to local school children and attending exhibitions with their newly acquired display boards. Watch out for their display, go and help them if you see them. they need all our support. they are a shining example of what can be achieved through working in partnership with the Council and others.
If you think you could help manage your local green space, get in touch with the Borough’s Ecologist on 781122 and see how you can help keep your local green space thriving for wildlife.
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This page last updated: 03/01/2001