Windfall aids work at city’s green oasis

A GREEN oasis in south Leeds has received its share of a £116,000 environmental award.

Veolia Environmental Trust has given £26,789 to The Conservation Volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre. The site, on Skelton Grange Road, which receives 6,000 visitors a year, will train and support volunteers to re-develop the Adventure Trail, a boardwalk through the woods.

Efforts will also be made to restore and enhance the ponds, hedgerows, woodland, riverside areas, grassland and meadows on the site. These form a crucial wildlife habitat link in the Lower Aire Valley green corridor.

Toby Roberts, senior project officer for The Conservation Volunteers, said: “We’ve been able to get started on the project and have already been able to get lots of volunteers involved in improving an area of young woodland as well as improving pathways at the centre.

“We’re also managing invasive species on the banks of the River Aire – notably the giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.”

Work will soon begin on the next stage, to revamp the popular Adventure Trail which was showing the wearing effects of tens of thousands of little footsteps.

Lucy Wheeler, operational leader for The Conservation Volunteers, said: “This project will improve the visitor experience at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, allowing the trail to stay open in all weathers and will really enhance the site.”

The money is from the Landfill Communities Fund. Skelton Grange is celebrating its 25th birthday this year.