Ouse Valley to be enhanced for nature and people

The Wetland Arc stretches across the north of Milton Keynes and is made up of 355 hectares (about 500 football pitches!) of linear parkland, nature sites and floodplain meadows along the course of the River Great Ouse. The Wetland Arc is home to some of the area’s most important biodiversity sites, and this Heritage Fund grant enables The Parks Trust to create a forward-thinking plan to ensure it remains abundant with wildlife whilst being accessible for people.

Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, Victoria Miles MBE, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, a significant grant that will enable our expert team to expedite and expand our nature-focussed initiatives. Our aim is to create city landscapes that deliver more for both nature and people in Milton Keynes, forever.” 

Lewis Dickinson, Nature Services Manager at the Trust added: “As wetland habitats are being lost globally, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness of and plan for a sustainable future of our lakes and floodplains, and for the river corridor itself.” 

The Parks Trust will create a community-led masterplan for the Wetland Arc, fusing the views of local people with ambitions for nature restoration, and protecting the natural heritage of the Wetland Arc for future generations. 

To encourage more people to play a part in Milton Keynes’ natural heritage, local residents, schools, and volunteers will be invited to take part in community events, ideas fairs, practical volunteering activities and citizen science projects.  

Outputs from this project will contribute to a new online Nature Hub being developed by The Parks Trust. In a bid to further knowledge and understanding of local biodiversity, the Nature Hub will enable residents and researchers to access data about species and habitats gathered from across the city’s green spaces. 

The grant includes funding the Trust to recruit a Project Officer whose role will focus on engaging new audiences and embedding local ideas into the future of the landscape.

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented: “Supporting our green spaces is something we’re really passionate about at The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Projects like this not only help nature thrive, restoring important habitats but also allow people to connect and access the natural heritage on their doorstep.”

Keep an eye out for more news and information about how you can get involved in this exciting project.