Spaces of Reflection: Balancing Nature - Heathland Restoration Project

Every other Monday at Norton Bigwood between the hours of 11:00am – 15:00pm, our rangers and volunteers are working together to help restore and maintain our lowland heathland through cutting back the grass and bracken, clean up and extending the nearby pond, add a sluice gate to the area and finally removing small silver birch saplings to make small picket fences which will form a trail to our natural islands. Within these natural islands we will be planting heather to help boost the ecosystem.

This is a free session and does not require any long-term commitments. Come for one session or attend multiple over an extended period, the choice is yours.

We offer free transportation to our site within the Lincoln area.

Booking in advance is required through email or telephone. Please contact steve.donagain@hillholtwood.co.uk or call 01636 892 836.

So why do we want to restore the Heathland at Norton Bigwood?

Heathland is one of the UK's rarest and most threatened habitats, with around 85% lost over the last 150 years to development and agriculture. 
Heathland is described as an area of soil which is sandy, acidic and low fertility, unsuitable for growing. 
Heathland is mainly compromised of grasses and low-lying shrubs such as gorse. Within these plants many wildlife species reside such as the bordered fritillary butterflies, grass snakes, common lizards, slow worms and birds like the night jar. This Heathland is their habitat and if we continue to destroy the heathland with future development and agricultural plans we will potentially lose these species forever.

We aim to restore, maintain and expand their habitats.