Free, fun-packed, Family Wildlife Fayre - weekend of celebration at Fenn’s Whixall National Nature Reserve
10 May 2010
A fun-packed weekend is in prospect at Fenn’s Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve on the Shropshire Wrexham border; three days of celebration for the handover of new land to the Reserve and the International Year of Biodiversity
On Friday 14th May Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales will celebrate the official handover of over 23 hectares (almost 57 acres) of new land to the Reserve, with an audience of invited guests at Bettisfield Village Hall, followed on Saturday by a fun-packed, family Mosses Wildlife Fayre, open to everyone.
The Fayre will be held at the Manor House National Nature Reserve Base at Whixall from 11am – 4pm. This is our first regional celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.
Wildlife organisations from all over Shropshire will be at the Fayre, including the British Dragonfly Society, Shropshire Barn Own Group, Butterfly Conservation, Shropshire Botanical Society, Shropshire Ornithological Society, North Shropshire Beekeepers, British Waterways and Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Lots of free activities for all the family will highlight the wealth and importance of the biodiversity on this National Nature Reserve, and refreshments will be available.
On Sunday 16th May at 9a.m., the weekend will conclude with an Amphibian and Reptile Hunt, led by Natural England’s Reserve Manager Pete Bowyer and reptile expert Rab Bleakly. The Mosses are famous for their snakes, lizards and newts. Booking is essential for the Sunday event. All the weekend’s activities are free of charge.
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. The year celebrates the biological diversity of life on earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism.
Natural England is one of over 200 partners participating in the International Year of Biodiversity. We have come together to promote and celebrate the importance of biodiversity to our lives.
Joan Daniels, Fenn’s Senior Reserve Manager said: “This is a wonderful weekend of activities for the Reserve, with so much to celebrate. We hope families will come along to our Wildlife Fayre and discover how wonderful the Moss is for boggy biodiversity”.
If you would like more information about these events or others on your local National Nature Reserves or would like to make a booking for Sunday, please contact Caroline Dahn 0300 060 0583 or email: caroline.dahn@naturalengland.org.uk
More press information from Judie Kellie 01299 896555 / 07973 744161 judie@jkpr.co.uk or Dean Gallen 0300 060 1079 dean.g.gallen@naturalengland.org.uk
-ends-
Notes to Editors
There are 225 National Nature Reserves in England and they offer ideal opportunities for observing birds and wildlife. However, some operate restricted or seasonal access, so check before you travel. All events are free but booking is essential.
National Nature Reserves were initially established to protect sensitive features and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. Their purpose has widened since those early days and now, as well as managing some of our most pristine habitats, our rarest species and our most significant geology, most NNRs offer great opportunities to the public as well as schools and specialist audiences to experience England’s natural heritage.
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. www.naturalengland.org.uk
