Estelle Bailey, chief executive of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust announced the appeal has reached its target. “I’m thrilled that we are going to save Yoesden and protect such a beautiful and important place for wildlife and people.
“The generosity of BBOWT members and everyone who has donated to the appeal is staggering. In addition to the £110,000 received in generous gifts, we have received grants and pledges that will enable us to carry out conservation management and provide people with more opportunities to discover the wildlife and heritage of Chilterns woods.”
Yoesden Bank is a swathe of precious chalk grassland that’s filled with wild flowers and thrums with insects during the summer. Above this the ‘hanger’ woodland of beech, yew and whitebeam trees clothes the steep hillside that overlooks Radnage Valley.
BBOWT will purchase Yoesden in November and plans to continue the careful management of this very special wildlife site, which has been done by the current owners so well for the last 20 years.
Yoesden is a wonderful jewel in the Chilterns, full of colourful flowers and butterflies.
There will be guided walks workshops and events, work parties to help control the scrub, and detailed surveying of the grassland so that it is kept in the best condition for flowers and herbs that provide essential food and shelter for butterflies and other insects.