Innovation award for Silent Valley reserve

Gwent Wildlife Trust is celebrating winning an award for environmental innovation from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

The accolade is for work carried out at its Silent Valley reserve in Ebbw Vale, a site which once comprised a farm and an old coal pit. It is now a wildlife haven and is the highest and most westerly beechwood in Britain. The Trust has been working closely with the council's Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme (BAGS) to enhance the various habitats and recent work has involved improving existing ponds and creating a new one.

Julian Branscombe, Chief Executive of Gwent Wildlife Trust, said: "It has been great to work with the BAGS scheme for the benefit of wildlife at Silent Valley. I'd like to thank all the volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and helped with the work on the ponds.

"Projects like this aren't possible without volunteer support. It's fantastic seeing wildlife moving in to make the most of the new pond. I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on how things develop."

The reserve is managed jointly by Gwent Wildlife Trust and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and is known locally for its interesting beech and alder woodland. Open spaces in the south of the reserve contain many anthills, which nearby green woodpeckers feed on. Lichens and mosses are reclaiming the former coal pit for nature, and many birds are attracted by the beech mast in the autumn. Some of the reserve has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Location: From Ebbw Vale take the A4046 south. After about 2.5 miles (4 km) you reach the village of Cwm. Go through the village one-way system and exit on the northern side. Take the second turning on the right (by a corner shop). About a third of a mile further on there is a car park on the right (the cemetery is just ahead, on the left). Walk northwards across the flat grass playing area to get to the reserve entrance.

Co-ordinates: SO187062

Contact: Gwent Wildlife Trust,
Seddon House, Dingestow, Monmouth NP25 4DY
Tel 01600 740358, Fax 01600 740299. www.gwentwildlife.org

Email: info@gwentwildlife.org

Visit the Gwent Wildlife Trust website to find out more about Silent Valley.