The country's newest nature reserve has officially been launched in Cleethorpes
It's one of 25 being created across the country to mark the King's Coronation
Britain's newest nature reserve has officially been launched in Cleethorpes this morning.
It's one of 25 being created across the country to mark the King's Coronation.
It'll stretch from Cleethorpes south along the Lincolnshire coastline.
The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (LCCNNR) covers 33 square kilometres along almost 30 kilometres of the Greater Lincolnshire coast.
It contains a rich variety of sand dunes, salt marshes, mudflats and freshwater marshes which are of international importance.
It brings together the existing Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserves.
The land will be managed for nature conservation, as well as supporting many breeding and over-wintering birds, natterjack toads, special plants and insects.
The new site is now two thirds larger, making it the ninth largest National Nature Reserve of the 220 in England.
National Nature Reserve status is given to the very best nature conservation sites in England and is recognition that the land is nationally important.
At LCCNNR Natural England will work alongside Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Ministry of Defence, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Environment Agency to share skills, knowledge and resources for long term commitment to the site.
A range of organisations has joined together to launch the LCCNNR, including the Humber Nature Partnership with a common goal and commitment to nature, science and people by providing access to green space and wildlife.
The percentage of Lincolnshire population with easy access to nature is one of the lowest in the country. The new reserve is close to large urban populations, with Grimsby and Cleethorpes to the north, Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea to the south, and Louth and Lincoln to the west. Some of the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England are within walking distance of the reserve.
It's hoped the LCCNNR will help to unlock more opportunity for local people to access and experience the coastline for their own health and wellbeing. As well as supporting communities to get active, providing education opportunities or learning new skills through volunteering, or to simply recharge in nature.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
“Today’s declaration of the new Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve is a landmark moment for nature recovery in England, not just in Lincolnshire but also nationally.
“Not only is it a visible demonstration of ambitious targets being translated into practical action, but also a fine example of how broad partnerships can be harnessed for nature recovery at scale.
“This area of coastline is of international importance due to habitats that support hundreds of thousands of birds, rare natterjack toads and a host of special insects and plants.
“This newly expanded National Nature Reserve will enhance the nature and biodiversity of the Greater Lincolnshire coast making it a bigger, better and more joined up area for wildlife. This reserve also presents opportunities for local people to connect with amazing wildlife while also providing an attractive destination for tourists to visit, bringing benefits to the economy too.”
The Lincolnshire Coast has a range of important habitat for species including birds and mammals.
Wildlife benefitting from the reserve include notable winter assemblage of wading birds and wildfowl and a range of breeding species in spring and summer. Special species include redshank, whitethroat, golden plover, natterjack toads, grey seals, and a diverse range of plants and insects such as the marsh moth – one of only two places in the country where they are found. The saltmarsh and lowland wet grasslands are very important in delivering natural solutions to manage climate change.
The reserve is close to the resort of Cleethorpes and the King Charles III England Coast Path runs through the site.
The site is the first in the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and one of the best places for nature to thrive in England. The series will see the creation of five major National Nature Reserve declarations every year for the next five years - 25 in total
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“With its sand dunes and salt marsh, our coastline is an internationally important landscape for wildlife. We’re lucky to have it on our doorstep.
“This is a first for North East Lincolnshire and the new National Nature Reserve provides an excellent opportunity for Cleethorpes to attract more visitors throughout the year and connect with nature.
“We’re proud to be working with Natural England and our other partners to create this new National Nature Reserve and look after it for generations to come.”
Paul Learoyd, chief executive, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said:
"This exciting new declaration demonstrates what can be achieved by working in partnership across an entire landscape. From the first steps that the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust made to protect this section of the Lincolnshire coast in the 1950s, working with others has been key. Volunteers are also part of this partnership giving hundreds of hours annually to record wildlife, help manage habitats and engage with the public especially at the Donna Nook grey seal colony."