 Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve is Wolverhampton’s oldest nature reserve and a haven for wildlife, a hot spot for geology and a site of important local heritage. With funding support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, City of Wolverhampton Council, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife trust and Canal and River Trust are working to secure its future for future generations to enjoy and celebrate.
 Explore Smestow Valley LNR
On the 26th of April the team launched the 2nd of our pilot projects the ‘Explore Smestow Valley LNR’ Bioblitz with our partners the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.
The bioblitz is part of the wider international City Nature Challenge which motivates people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. 31 people attended on the day and have since run the activity with local cubs and school groups. Unlike the City Nature Challenge which runs for a weekend the SVLNR bioblitz will run throughout the year and collect data in the Ecorecord, a valuable resource for tracking wildlife. Anyone can enter information via the inaturalist app.
So far, we have had 550 observations of 249 species on our nature reserve.
Meet the Friends of Smestow Valley
Every Thursday about a dozen of us aptly named ‘The Friends of Smestow Valley’ go out onto the Smestow Valley local nature reserve for a few hours. Whatever the season we do the jobs that improve the biodiversity in the nature reserve as outlined in the SVLNR Management Plan.
It might be coppicing hazel in winter to bring light onto the woodland floor so more flowers will grow in the spring; it might be scything and raking the hay near the ponds in the summer so that the grass doesn’t take over – we do this by hand to protect the newts and other amphibians. We do surveys and monitor water quality too. Sometimes we come back a bit stiff and sore, but it always feels worthwhile as it contributes in some way to making Smestow Valley a better place for wildlife and the people of Wolverhampton who visit. And the list of tasks accomplished grows every year.
We try hard as a group to make sure the work is varied and make all the volunteers feel supported. Everyone can work at their own pace, and we take time to explain how to use tools and do tasks and surveys safely. We have had people join the group with various disabilities and health problems, and there is no doubt that working creatively as part of a team in a beautiful green space helps people to feel better.
Did you know?
There are many well-documented benefits of volunteering. Combining those with the benefits of spending time outdoors seems like the ideal solution to the stresses of modern-day life.
Volunteering provides:
Opportunities to Improve Mental Health as volunteering can trigger the release of dopamine which reduces stress and anxiety promoting a sense of well-being. Volunteering also lowers rates of depression and improves mood. Helping others and contributing to a good cause is shown to increase satisfaction with life and boost self-esteem giving people a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Better Physical Health, studies show that regular volunteering is associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. Working outdoors also increases physical activity which helps people stay active for longer and can even result in a longer lifespan!
Stronger Social Connections, working as a group fosters social interaction and helps build a support network which is crucial for emotional well-being. Engaging with new groups of people can enhance interpersonal skills and confidence.
There are several organisations who offer volunteering on Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve and are critical in helping the City Council maintain and improve our heritage assets and open spaces.
And all those volunteer hours add up, The Friends of Smestow alone freely give 40 hours a week of their time and expertise throughout the year adding up to around 2000 hours every year of physical work in the nature reserve.
Events
Watch out for more details of these upcoming events on our Facebook page.
Smestow Valley mid-summer festival! - 21st June
Celebrate the longest day of the year at our Mid-Summer Celebration at Cupcake Lane. Join us for a fun filled day with plenty to entertain young and old alike! There will be entertainment with music from ‘Just In Time’ at Cupcake Café, along with guided walks, scavenger and bug hunts and plenty more to enjoy!
Sign up for a magical summer solstice yoga experience with Heather in the nature reserve, suitable for all levels. Follow us on Facebook for the latest details.
Starts at 10am. All welcome!!!
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Consultation for the project to Explore, Enhance, Protect and Promote Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve.
So far we have had over 438 responses to our consultation survey. Help us protect Smestow for future generation by answering a few questions in our survey and be in with a chance of winning 1 of 3 Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Vouchers.
Please spend a few minutes giving us your thoughts, your opinion really matters!
Click here to take part in the consultation.
Follow us on Facebook to get the latest information and general updates about what is happening at Smestow .
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