RESERVES REPORT

There have been some very exciting developments in the nature reserves section over the past few months. Following a very wet April, the long-awaited "official opening" of Cabilla and Redrice Woods took place in early May. Despite the inclement weather, Steve Chudleigh had battled on to get the woods ship-shape (not literally, but the theme of this edition is marine!) and ready for enjoyment by the public. In March, public access was enhanced at Kennall Vale Nature Reserve thanks to major assistance from the US Joint Marine Facility at RAF St Mawgan.

We must also thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for providing the largest grant ever received by the Trust for nature reserves work. In May, the Trust was able to sign contracts with the HLF for a grant totalling nearly half a million pounds. This has enabled us to implement the Wild Cornwall project.

US NAVY AT KENNALL VALE

In March, a squad of twenty sailors, with their Texan commander Lieutenant Czapla, manhandled two half-tonne girders - each ten metres long - into place as part of a bridge reconstruction project at Kennall Vale Nature Reserve. The bridge had to be completely rebuilt to allow safe public access but it was not possible to get heavy machinery onto the reserve. So, Lieutenant Czapla's team provided an unusual but very effective and welcome solution. Funding for the bridge restoration project came from Rural Action for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and from Kerrier District Council.

The new bridge is appreciated by the many visitors who enjoy Kennall Vale. The Trust urges all visitors to this site to use public transport if possible. If you must take your car, please do not park at the reserve entrance. The road is very narrow and cars parked along it present a significant hazard, inconvenience local residents and prevent the passage of larger vehicles (particularly those of the emergency services).

Wild Cornwall

This project (not to be confused with the magazine of the same name) is an ambitious programme of enhancement work to be carried out on most of the Trust's nature reserves. Projects will be carried out over the next five years to ensure that the wildlife they support is maintained and enhanced. Facilities for public access, information and enjoyment will also be improved. The large grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will cover the cost of much of the project. However, a significant element of the project is to involve volunteers from all walks of life from across the whole of Cornwall. The PARC programme will be increased and extended to cover Land's End to Bude and Saltash, and local community groups will be involved in works on nature reserves in their areas. Two new members of staff have been taken on in the nature reserves section. Gavin Henderson will recruit, supervise and train volunteers, while Callum Deveney will manage the non-volunteer aspects of the Wild Cornwall project.

DOGS ON RESERVES

The Trust permits dogs on most of its nature reserves. However, Trust policy states that dogs must be kept on leads and on the paths at all times. This is because a dog off its lead, no matter how "under control" it is, can cause significant damage to the wildlife of a nature reserve. Ground-nesting birds are disturbed, sensitive plants are trampled and many small mammals are frightened from their holes and nests. Many of our reserves are used by schools as an educational resource; dogs' mess presents a significant hazard to these young visitors (and the older visitors!). Please bag up your dog's mess and take it home to dispose of safely. Responsible dog owners will be welcomed on Trust reserves (with or without their dogs!). However, if a few owners continue to be irresponsible then, for the sake of our wildlife, the Trust will have to adopt a stricter policy with regard to nature reserve use by dogs.

Victoria Scott