Wensum Valley Countryside Management Project
If you have been bird watching at Sparham Pools, canoeing at Swanton Morley, dipping for river mini-beasts at Gressenhall or walking in Bintree Woods, you have been enjoying the diverse countryside of the WensumValley.
The Wensum Valley Project aims to conserve and enhance the landscape, habitats and wildlife of the Wensum Valley, whilst promoting quiet enjoyment of the area and encouraging community action and involvement. It is funded by six local authorities, including Breckland Council.
To achieve its aims the Project works with parish councils, landowners, local residents and other organisations. Activities include:
- carrying out practical conservation and access improvements with volunteers and contractors
- advising land managers
- leading field trips and guided walks for schools and groups.
The Wensum Valley Project has its own website full of information about the work of the project and the wildlife and landscapes of the Wensum Valley. The website also contains information about volunteering in the Wensum Valley and detailed information on leisure opportunities including places of interest, walking, cycling and birdwatching.
The website address is: http://www.wensumvalleyproject.org.uk
The Wensum Valley
The Wensum Valley is widely acknowledged as one of the finest river valleys in Norfolk. The river rises in north-west Norfolk near Fakenham, then flows south and eastwards to Norwich, where it joins the River Yare.
The attractive and varied landscape of the Wensum Valley provides valuable habitats for wildlife and equally valuable recreation opportunities for people, contrasting with the more intensively farmed countryside to the North and South. The valley supports rare plant and animal species as well as the common ones. The river itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a candidate Special Area of Conservation.
The special character of the valley needs to be protected from insensitive change and can be enhanced by habitat management, landscape improvements and by raising local awareness.
The valley
Sparham Pools, near Lyng Mill
Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve with free access.
The river, grazing meadows and wooded slopes near Bylaugh
Typical of the landscape of the Wensum Valley.
Contact details
Wensum Valley Project
Beech House
Gressenhall
DEREHAM
Norfolk
NR20 4DR
Telephone
01362 861183
Fax
01362 861183
email
wensumvalley.project@norfolk.gov.uk
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