Mayor opens borough’s newest nature reserve

The ceremony on the edge of Ilkeston saw some 50 people given a VIP tour of Pewit Coronation Meadows Local Nature Reserve.

The council’s Lead Member for Environment Cllr Mark Alfrey made a speech hailing the 25-acre oasis as the latest example of the authority helping to boost the health and wellbeing of residents.

He also said the £500,000 project which began a year ago underlined the council’s commitment to nature and conservation. Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson echoed him – and also paid tribute to volunteers including tree wardens who have helped plant 1,500 saplings and shrubs. He said: “Thankyou to all our volunteers.”

Half of the funding for the wildlife haven has come from the Government. The rest is from a levy on businesses involved in the redevelopment of the old Stanton ironworks on the other side of Ilkeston. Cllr Alfrey said: “There are new paths and trails – plus what are called ‘open mosaic habitats’ to encourage wildlife. These include banks of wildflowers for butterflies.”

One species of butterfly that the nature reserve hopes to encourage is the dingy skipper. It used to thrive around the ironworks but is increasingly rare.
Meanwhile there have been sightings of birds of prey included the hobby. Cllr Alfrey said: “Pewit Coronation Meadows is a place the entire community can enjoy.”

Watch on Facebook: A video featuring the Mayor talking about the new beauty spot.

In it he says of the nature reserve: “It’s for everyone. Whether you are a cyclist, a dog walker or just wanting to come and enjoy the outdoors, we want you to use this space.”

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Photo by Kerry Wheatley.