Last updated: October 2021
Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve has a variety of habitats. The site is largely artificial, originating from former gravel pits. The river gravels were of good quality and represented an important local source for the construction industry. The pits ceased to be worked in 1970’s and flooded. Infill materials - a variety of materials have been used: building rubble, soil and treated sewage residues from the treatment plants. Plant materials and soil from parks, gardens and building sites have added to the bio-diversity. The reserve is owned by Bradford Council and managed by Wharfedale Naturalists Society volunteers. (reference 1) With the support of Natural England, the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve in October 2013. (ref 7).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Blue infrastructure
- Riverbank/Lakeside greens
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Social interaction
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
Focus
Protection of natural ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
Objectives for the Reserve are as follows (ref2):
a) To promote the conservation, creation and management of all-natural history aspects of the Reserve and thereby contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of appropriate biodiversity within the Reserve boundaries and adjacent areas.
b) To progress the restoration of the habitat zones of the Reserve on the basis of SEGI (Sites of Ecological or Geological Interest) designation.
c) To encourage an appreciation of the natural history value of the site.
d) To develop an appreciation of the wildlife value of the site
e) To communicate with local interested groups and individuals using the site for legitimate purposes and develop an appreciation of the wildlife value of the site and the need to utilise it with respect.
f) A site to develop a variety of wildflower (ref 8)
g) Community gardening and environmental education site for the local community (ref 7)
Implementation activities
It was designated a Local Nature Reserve in recognition of the improvement in biodiversity. (reference 5)
Small workgroups to manage the site and protect bio-diversity (ref 7)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Create new habitats
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Means for conservation governance
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Reserve is managed by the Wharfedale Naturalists Society (WNS) in partnership with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) (ref 7).
For maintenance of the park small workgroups of local community volunteer (ref 8)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve. n.d. accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
2. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature reserve. 2013. Management Plan Agreement. [Accessed 19 July 2020].
3. The wharfedale observer. 2014. Ben Rhydding gravel pits nature reserve opens. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
4. Greaves, A. 2014. Ilkley gravel pits to be turned into wildlife reserve. the telegraph and argus. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
5. The Wharfedale Naturalists Society. nd. Reserves. accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
6. Natural England. nd. LNR Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
7. Source link. 2020. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits LNR | Wharfedale Naturalists. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
8. Ilkley Gazette. 2014. Official Nature Reserve Status For Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
9. Wharfedale Naturalists Society. 2015. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits LNR - Wharfedale Naturalists Society. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
2. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature reserve. 2013. Management Plan Agreement. [Accessed 19 July 2020].
3. The wharfedale observer. 2014. Ben Rhydding gravel pits nature reserve opens. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
4. Greaves, A. 2014. Ilkley gravel pits to be turned into wildlife reserve. the telegraph and argus. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
5. The Wharfedale Naturalists Society. nd. Reserves. accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
6. Natural England. nd. LNR Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits. Accessed: Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
7. Source link. 2020. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits LNR | Wharfedale Naturalists. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
8. Ilkley Gazette. 2014. Official Nature Reserve Status For Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].
9. Wharfedale Naturalists Society. 2015. Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits LNR - Wharfedale Naturalists Society. [online] Available at: <Source link [Accessed 19 July 2020].