In the heart of industry is a haven for the natural world

Mar 13 2007 By The Journal

Natural England is working hard for people, places and nature across our region. And there is plenty going on right across the North-East. Natural England brings together English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.

It aims to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas.

Teesmouth National Nature Reserve covers a large area of the north bank of the Tees Estuary - more than 350 hectares - around North Gare and Seal Sands.

It is a coastal site with a range of habitats, including intertidal mud and sand flats, sand dune systems, saltmarsh and grazing marsh.

As a nature reserve it is unusual as it is surrounded by heavy industry, yet it supports vast and varied wildlife populations. For much of the year it provides a home for thousands of migratory water birds, as well as the famous seals of Seal Sands.

The site is now set to star in new BBC wildlife series, Nature of Britain with Alan Titchmarsh to be screened in the autumn and Nature's Calendar with Chris Packham.

One major project on the Nature reserve is ReactiviTees, which was established in 2004. Funds received through the Teesmouth Industry and Wildlife Partnership comprising: British Energy, BASF, BP, ConocoPhillips, PD Teesport and The Crown Estate has ensured plenty of environmental action and activity.

Teamwork has clearly proved to be the secret of this project's success.

The project has already seen thousands of trees and 1,500 wildflower bulbs planted, plus wildlife-friendly planting at PD Teesport.

New habitats have been achieved with landscaping at ConocoPhillips incorporating horticultural and native species - and pond and wildlife planting at BP Cats.

Education is also seen as a vital element.

The team provides 250 copes of a 90-page Teesmouth NNR education pack and distributes 5,000 copies of its reserve activity booklet.

Volunteer groups, special events and a Cultural Diversity Day have also helped expand its work.

Annual Team Spirit staff days held by BP have been held to undertake bird hide maintenance and ditch clearance.

Other projects include:

* Phoenix House and the Conservation Therapy Programme

This project is helping former drug addicts through rehabilitation using the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors.

Launched in 2005 it sees conservation and wildlife experts work with Phoenix House, one of the UK's leading drug and alcohol treatment specialists.

The main object of the project is to help substance misusers challenge themselves as individuals, to build their self confidence, motivation and self esteem - while helping improve the environment.

* Hedgerow planting

Although being the second busiest port in Britain, with more than 6,000 ships and 50 million tonnes of cargo arriving, there's still time for wildlife at PD Ports.

Wildflower planting is already well underway with plans for the planting of 1,000 bulbs, more than 20 types of wildflowers, a grass meadow area, shrubs and trees in the long term - making the ports of Teesside and Hartlepool a haven for wildlife.

* British Energy Group

The electricity company supplies the facilities for Teesmouth Field Centre and office accommodation for both Natural England at Teesmouth and Hartlepool Countryside Wardens.

The land is a haven for wildlife, home to more than 64 species of birds plus brown hares, foxes, voles and rabbits.

To help the wildlife British Energy agreed to the planting of 330m of hedgerow trees including holly, hawthorn, blackthorn and field maple. Following the success of this, planting of more than 3,000 trees took place in 2006.

* BASF

The chemical company has planted a variety of wildflowers at the entrance to its site at Seal Sands.

This has includes 1,500 bluebells, crocuses and wild daffodils, along with 200 primrose and cowslip plugs.

With the introduction of native grasses and more flowers in 2007, there will hopefully be a reduction in grass moving - a major benefit to wildlife.

* ConocoPhillips

The company has revamped an overgrown area in its grounds. But instead of removing plants and replacing them with gravel - it asked for help and advice.

The results was a design scheme incorporating low maintenance plants, which are also beneficial to local wildlife.

* Transport

A 16 seat minibus with hydraulic lift and space for two wheelchairs has been purchased. The bus is available to community group and volunteers - opening up the site to an even wider audience.

* Volunteers

A dedicated team of volunteers continue their excellent work at the site. From clearing up litter and fly tipping to painting bird hides and constructing stiles - their help is essential.

Meanwhile links have also been forged between Teesmouth and Moor House - Upper Teesdale, one of England's largest National Nature Reserves.

Moor House is situated in the heart of the North Pennines and is in two parts on either side of the Durham-Cumbria County boundary.

It is well known for the plants that originally colonised the high Pennines after the last ice age, and have survived here ever since. You can also see rare rock formations.

The reserve encompasses true diversity with environments ranging from lower lying hay meadows to summit heaths of the high fells.

The River Tees Project - from source to mouth, has seen Forest of Teesdale Primary School, the closest school to the Upper Teesdale reserve, link up for two days with Clavering Primary School, Hartlepool using the River Tees and NNRs as their common ground.

Forest School is close to the river's source and Clavering at its mouth.

They took part in a quiz and trail, looked at industry along the river and looked at wildlife including seals, birds and Northern Marsh Orchids.

* Get more information on Natural England from www.naturalengland.org.uk