Nature groups unite to support wildlife and green spaces across Amber Valley

Held at Greenwich Community Hub in Ripley, the meeting provided an opportunity for groups from across the borough to share their work, learn from each other and explore ways to strengthen projects supporting wildlife and nature locally.

It also allowed groups to showcase the projects being run across the borough.

Among the projects shared was the work of the Quarndon Swift Group, which has installed around 100 swift boxes across the village to help reverse the dramatic decline of the species. Swift populations have fallen by around 72% nationally since the 1990s. Now in its second year, the project has already recorded seven nesting pairs.

In Ripley, local resident Julie Swindel outlined plans to restore historic ponds, improving access to nature while reconnecting the area with its past through the restoration of medieval fishponds.

Other presentations highlighted opportunities to improve biodiversity and cycling connectivity along the Ripley Greenway, with local councillor Martin Hawkins outlining plans to improve routes and connectivity, alongside volunteering projects with CPRE Derbyshire.

Residents were also encouraged to record wildlife sightings through the Derbyshire Biological Records Centre, hosted by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, with submitted records helping support conservation work and inform planning decisions.

The meeting covered Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s wider work across the county, including exploration of the potential reintroduction of beavers to the Derbyshire Derwent catchment ahead of a wider public consultation.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Amina Burslem, Amber Valley Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Street Pride and Wellbeing, said: "Amber Valley has many passionate volunteers and organisations working hard to support nature in their communities.

"The Nature Network helps bring those groups together so they can share ideas, support each other and build on the fantastic work already happening across the borough.

"As a council we want to help create the space for those connections to happen, while ensuring the network remains led by the people and groups driving this work locally."

Amber Valley Borough Council is also developing a borough-wide map of nature projects and activities to promote local work and encourage more people to get involved.

Local nature groups, organisations or individuals interested in joining the network or receiving invitations to future meetings can contact [email protected].