National Trust teams up with Severn Trent to help nature and benefit more people at reservoir sites in Derbyshire

National Trust teams up with Severn Trent to help nature and benefit more people at reservoir sites in Derbyshire - National Trust

The National Trust and Severn Trent have announced a new partnership to benefit people and nature at two reservoir sites in Derbyshire – Foremark Water and Staunton Harold Water.

A jay copyright National Trust Images/Derek Hatton

The new collaboration between the UK’s largest conservation charity and the country’s second biggest water company, starts later this month. Severn Trent will continue to manage water at the sites – reservoirs and water supplies - while the National Trust will use its expertise in conservation and caring for buildings, landscapes and estates to boost biodiversity and further enhance the site for visitors.
While the Trust often works with water companies on conservation projects, this is the first time the charity will take on the long-term management of two reservoir sites, with the agreement initially for 25 years.
Both reservoirs are near Calke Abbey, a country house estate in excess of 2,000 acres, which is cared for by the National Trust. Together the three places represent a diverse mix of habitats for wildlife including four sites of special scientific interest, heath grassland, ancient woodland and open water, which are home to species such as ivy-leaved bellflower, giant bellflower, heather and digger wasp, which is nationally scarce. They are also good places to spot buzzards, jays and great-spotted woodpeckers.
Stewart Alcock, General Manager at National Trust Calke Abbey, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with Severn Trent on this new partnership, which will enable us to manage the land for both people and nature, improving levels of biodiversity to help tackle the nature crisis. We have a shared ambition to enrich environments and create strong connections between people, places and nature. Working together we can build on our strengths to benefit visitors, the natural world and the provision of high-quality water. Both Foremark and Staunton Harold have areas of woodland and grassland, and by working together we’ll be able to improve habitat quality and create more connectivity both within and beyond the sites.”