Yorkshire Water invests £25k in biodiversity projects across county

A Yorkshire utilities company has announced that it is investing £25k in biodiversity projects across the county.

Yorkshire Water has invested in and partnered with seven projects across the region that aim to develop, improve and protect the natural environment.

The company, which is the second largest landowner in the county, is investing in projects run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Wild Trout Trust, Lower Ure Conservation Trust, Calderdale Council, the RSPB and Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley.

Gary Smith, director of conservation and community from YDNPA, commented: “We’re immensely grateful for Yorkshire Water’s support for this exciting project.

“The funding will enable us to increase significantly the area of habitat that will be restored and created – something that will not only be good for nature but great for people too.”

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, Scott Patient, said: “We’re delighted that the Brearley Field Wetland Nature Reserve project has been awarded this funding, which will help support wetland developments.

“The project looks to enhance the natural environment and bring health and wellbeing benefits. It will also complement flood resilience work in Mytholmroyd, highlighting the benefits of the adjacent waterways by creating an attractive yet functional landscape.

“We’ve worked closely with the local community to help shape plans for the site and this money will also allow local people to have further input into its continued management.”

Dr. Ben Aston, Yorkshire Water’s lead for biodiversity and ecology, added: “A key part of our corporate strategy is to protect the environment.

“Through working with others rather than going it alone, we ensure that there is a long-term sustainable legacy to the programme and that there is the right expertise on board to deliver the best possible results for nature and our customers.

“It is fantastic to be able to support a range of amazing initiatives that are driven by making Yorkshire a more habitable area for wildlife and plants, as well as improving people’s well-being and sustaining the ecosystems on which we rely for many of our services.

“As well as our biodiversity enhancement programme, we are working with catchment partnerships across our area to help improve the sustainability of the conservation groups who help look after our rivers, and look forward to continuing this work to help deliver a green recovery for Yorkshire from Covid-19.”