Staffordshire Wildlife Trust takes control of 11 more reserves

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says it wants to improve habitats on 11 nature reserves after taking over management of them.

The Trust will oversee the sites previously managed by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Plans are to be drawn up of how the areas can be boosted. The reserves include Cecily Brook, Cheadle, Wetley Moor, Werrington, Ladderedge Country Park, Leek and Biddulph Grange Country Park.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust manages 43 nature reserves in the county, totalling an area of 1,988 ha (Kenneth O'Keefe).

"These sites are already good for wildlife, we can make them even better," Jeff Sim, from the Trust, said. The new additions mean the trust manages 43 nature reserves across more than 1,988 ha. Consultation will be held with volunteer groups and people who use the sites, Mr Sim said.

"We look forward to working with those who know the sites best to see what we can do to make them even better places to encounter wildlife," he added. "We need to do all we can to halt the decline of so many species and keep the Staffordshire Moorlands wild."