About Us
Mareham Pastures
From Waste to Wildlife
The area now known as Mareham Pastures has been transformed by local volunteers into a Nature Reserve. The site was originally low lying farmland and was used by Lincolnshire County Council as a landfill site between 1976 and 1998.
Following a community consultation in 2003 to identify what local people wanted; The Friends of Mareham Pastures group was formed by members of the local community. The first steps towards creating a wildlife haven took place in the winter of 2003/4 when the first trees were planted.
In September 2004 Mareham Pastures was designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). LNRs are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer people special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. There are now over 1050 LNRs in England. They range from coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and meadows to former inner city railways, old landfill sites and industrial areas re-colonised by wildlife.
On 15th October 2005 the Local Nature Reserve was officially opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mrs Bridget Cracroft-Eley LLD JP.
The land is owned by Lincolnshire County Council who, in conjunction with The Friends of Mareham Pastures continue to manage and improve the 11.5 hectare site.
The Friends
The Friends group meet regularly to organise activities enabling the local community to be involved in the development of their local nature reserve. The majority of the work is undertaken by local volunteers, either as individuals or community groups.
The Friends organise conservation activities such as traditional hedge laying, tree planting, regular path and litter clearances which enhances the environment for the wildlife and human visitors alike.
The Friends group also organise annual events, including a Dawn Bird Walk in May and events specifically for children including an Easter Event & a Nature Activity Day. The Friends maintain information boards and signs on site, in addition to Mareham Pastures’ own website, enabling everyone to be informed of the latest developments and events.
The group meets once every six weeks to discuss and plan the development of the site. If you are interested in joining the Friends group, please contact Zoë Watson – Secretary.
Supporters
Anyone interested in what is happening at Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve can now receive regular news updates by email or post – contact Zoë Watson – Secretary.
Ways to get involved
Conservation volunteers:
The
conservation volunteer program runs from October to March
providing monthly conservation activities. This programme
gives anyone to the opportunity to get some hands-on
experience of conservation work, whatever their previous
experience. Volunteers can spend as much time on
each
project as they can spare, from half an hour to the whole
day!
The aim of
these conservation projects is to enable and encourage local
residents to help maintain and improve their Local Nature
Reserve. Everyone is welcome.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award & Millennium Volunteer Schemes:
Conservation work at Mareham Pastures provides an excellent opportunity for young people to gain voluntary experience towards awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme. Anyone working towards this award or similar, who would like to take part in voluntary conservation work should contact Zoë Watson.
Community Group volunteers:
Many local groups including have helped in the development of Mareham Pastures as a Local Nature Reserve. If you know of a group that would like to become involved, please let us know.
Groups who have been involved with Mareham Pastures so far include:
Sleaford & Cranwell Cubs, Church Lane & St Georges Schools, Rotary Club of Sleaford, Sleaford Army Cadets, Eastgate Workskills group, Chernobyl Children's’ Project, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Lions Club, Millennium Volunteers, Sleaford Art Event, Lincs Wildlife Trust, Sleaford & District Civic Trust, Sleaford In Bloom …