Covid-19 update

Covid-19 update

Following the guidelines announced by government on 16th March 2020, we have adapted our work behaviour and will continue to do so for the immediate future.

As we all know, time spent connecting with nature is really important for our health and wellbeing, but at the current time it's essential that you do this in as safe a way as possible.

Government guidelines now state that you can drive to green spaces for exercise and you can meet with one other member of another household outside in a public space. Our reserves are there to be enjoyed by everyone but please remember:

  • Keep two metres apart from anyone outside of your household
  • Take hygiene precautions whilst outdoors and wash your hands when you return to your home.
  • Take your litter home.
  • Do not light fires or have a BBQ.
  • Please respects all wildlife
  • Follow the countryside code
Click here to find out more about Reserves

 

Our car parks at Earls & Pontesford Hill and Forest Glen by The Ercall are now open again. Wood Lane Nature Reserve remains closed until further notice.

Notice: people are welcome to walk their dogs on most of our reserves, but please keep your dog on a lead where there is livestock or notices about ground nesting birds. Please dispose of dog poo bags in bins provided where possible, but do not leave them lying on trails or bushes to collect on return journeys. Most people forget to collect them and they are hazardous to wildlife.

At Fenns, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses: car parks at Morris’s Bridge, Roundthorn Bridge & Bettisfield (Worlds End) are now open.
The car park at the Manor House NNR base remains closed.
In line with Welsh Government policy the car park at the Shed Yard in Wales remains closed.
Please note there is no parking available for the History Trail.
 
Statement from Colin Preston, CEO:

“We are all experiencing worrying and testing times and the Trust is striving to ensure an overall appropriate and measured response to a difficult and evolving situation.
 
The first consideration has been to ensure the safety of volunteers, staff, members and public alike who access Trust sites and events. This has resulted in offices closing with only a skeleton staff entering the buildings, all events cancelled, school programmes ceasing. Most staff are home working.
 
The second and immediate consideration is around finance. A review of budget and cash flow has been made incorporating the decision to furlough around 21 staff. As you are probably aware the government furlough arrangement provides for 80% of eligible staff salaries up to the end of June. Note- this does NOT mean staff are under the threat of redundancy . Taking this decision ensures the Trust financial position remains stable although turnover will in all likelihood decrease with a budgeted deficit also likely. We will need to react to this and make revised financial arrangements over the next few months.

 Through all this, the Climate and Ecological Crisis still remains and the challenge to our wildlife is as great as ever . Strange as it may seem the dreadful coronavirus situation may highlight the further need to protect and enhance the natural world exemplified by the fact that people are currently flooding to Trust nature reserves. People need wildlife as never before for their own health and wellbeing.”

Please be assured that our staff remain working hard for the benefit of wildlife in Shropshire and will continue to do so throughout this crisis.