Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Since early September, Whitelee has rumbled to the sound of three diggers. They may have been shocking to the eyes and ears, but these fearsome beasts have been steadily restoring a vast area of blanket bog. Now that the machines have gone, we can assess the changes. Over two thousand peat and coir dams have been installed in eroding channels, halting erosion and raising water tables, storing vast quantities of water and creating hundreds of pools in which wildlife can thrive. Within hours of the first dam being installed the wildlife was moving in, common hawker and black darter dragonflies taking advantage of the September sunshine to lay eggs in the new pools. A host of other invertebrates and many frogs have also taken up residence in the new pools, hopefully the abundance will filter up the food chain to our rarer residents. In addition to the dams, over 15km of peat cliffs (hags) have been re-sculpted into gentler slopes and re-vegetated. These hags were steadily eroding peat into the water courses, this carbon now, hopefully, locked away. There’s a good bit left to do, but this has been a big step along the road to restoring Whitelee’s peatland. #WilderWednesday

Missing Lynx Exhibition closure - 25th January Unfortunately, due to the effects of today's storm, the Missing Lynx Exhibition at the University of Cumbria on Saturday 25th January will be closed. The team has extended public opening hours on 28th and 29th January to provide more opportunities for people to visit. You can find opening times at: https://lnkd.in/eEZ423Ne

Staff at Northumberland Wildlife Trust were able to swap Blue Monday for Brew Monday this week, thanks to players of @PeoplesPostcodeLottery. Blue Monday is the name given to the third Monday in January and is often when people are feeling at their lowest ebb following seasonal festivities, overspending in the January sales, dark mornings and wintery weather. So, what better way to banish the winter ‘blues’ than for staff to join the Trust’s EDI team for tea and cake and the chance to have a catch up with colleagues and friends. Thanks again to all the wonderful #PostcodeLotteryPeople for making this possible!

Throughout 2024, The Missing Lynx Exhibition, supported by Northumberland Wildlife Trust volunteers, toured 10 venues across Northumberland, southern Scotland and Cumbria to consult local communities on a potential future reintroduction of lynx to Kielder Forest. The conversations we had at these venues were extremely valuable. Whilst we welcomed a huge 8,413 visitors to the exhibition, we noticed there was a gap in our engagement with the younger generation of 16–30-year-olds. In early 2025, we will be taking the exhibition back on the road, visiting colleges and universities in Northumberland, Cumbria and southern Scotland, with the aim of engaging and inspiring young people and ensuring their voices are heard within the project. So far, we have dates confirmed at University of Cumbria, Northern Stage (Newcastle) and Northumberland College (Kirkley Campus), and we also plan to visit Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Dumfries and Galloway in March. Confirmed exhibition dates can be found on the website here: https://lnkd.in/eEZ423Ne Whilst we are keen to engage with the younger generation in this next exhibition run, there will still be opportunities for the general public to visit the exhibition. So, if you missed it when we toured in 2024, please come along and visit this free, family-friendly exhibition that uses audio-visual interactive displays to bring the lynx to life! You can share your views on a potential lynx reintroduction by completing the project’s questionnaire: https://lnkd.in/dnkuQ5zw #WilderWednesday

⏰ DEADLINE REMINDER - 5PM FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY⏰ Don’t miss your chance to apply for the Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award! Applications close at 5pm Friday 31st January! This annual award supports and champions the work of local groups that connect people with nature and wildlife, and it is open to all groups in Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside area🌿 The winning group will win a £500 wish list of items to support their activities, and two runners-up will win a £250 wish list of items. All winners will also receive: • ongoing support from Northumberland Wildlife Trust with their work 💪 • the opportunity to be promoted and championed through our media channels 📸 • a certificate 📜 • and a celebratory roundel!🎉 We particularly encourage applications from community groups that have experienced barriers to accessing nature. This includes BIPOC community groups, groups led by Deaf and Disabled people, LGBTQIA+ communities, minority groups and groups in urban locations. Scan the QR code to apply now! If we can provide support with your application or if you have any questions, please get in touch with us on 0191 284 6884 or mail@northwt.org.uk

Lynx reintroductions in Europe can give us an insight into what it’s like to bring back these missing mammals. We can see how lynx survive and interact with other wildlife in forests, but also how people feel living alongside lynx again. Find out more below.

The Missing Lynx Exhibition is back visiting more venues across Northumberland, Cumbria and southern Scotland. Next stop the University of Cumbria, from the 23rd of January.

We're getting close to 5000 signatures on our petition for clearer labelling on products containing peat! 💌 We'll send this open letter (which will be sent in the first week of February) to celebrate World Wetlands Day! Add your signature today:- https://lnkd.in/exBD5HYv 🚀

🎥✨ Discover the natural wonder of Rothbury Estate ✨🎥 We’re excited to share our short video taken on just a tiny fraction of the magnificent Rothbury Estate! 🌿💚 Learn about the incredible work ahead of us to protect and restore this vast and stunning landscape for wildlife and future generations. Could you help? 🦊🌳 ➡️ Watch the video now and be inspired by the beauty and potential of this ancient land. ➡️ Follow the link to find out more and see how you can help us make a difference: https://lnkd.in/eHqEauWy Every action counts, and together, we can create a thriving future for our wildlife and wild spaces. 🌍🐾 #NorthumberlandWildlifeTrust #RothburyEstate #WildlifeConservation #ProtectNature #ActForWildlife

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has been made aware of the suspected illegal release and subsequent capture of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park. We are relieved to hear that the animals have been quickly caught and are being cared for. Reintroduction of any species is a delicate process requiring careful planning and the acceptance of local communities. This is important for the welfare of the animals involved as well as the chances of establishing a healthy population. As a partner in the Missing Lynx Project, we would support a legal lynx reintroduction if there is both an area in Britain where lynx can live, and if local people are accepting of the animal back in the landscape. Bringing lost species back and rebuilding our ecosystems is a vital part of tackling the nature crisis our country is facing, and the reintroduction of lynx could be part of this solution.  You can read our full statement on the Missing Lynx Project website: https://lnkd.in/eU2crASu