Most Exe-cellent cash boost for wildlife

Thanks to money from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through Pennon Environmental Fund, the RSPB has given their top Devon nature reserves at Exminster Marshes and Matford a make-over. 

The money has enabled the RSPB to install new signs and bicycle racks and a new viewing screen that will greatly enhance the reserve and improve the experience for visitors. Located on the National Cycle Route 2, both Exminster and Matford reserves are popular destinations for many casual cyclists, and the provision of cycle racks is both a recognition and appreciation of this.

Sally Mills, RSPB Site Manager on the Exe Estuary said: “As a large open flat landscape it can be difficult to provide people a good visitor experience, when footpaths through the site and poor viewing facilities will disturb the very wildlife people visit the site to see.

“However, the funding has enabled the RSPB to develop a corner of the reserve which provides a new nature trail, linking from the existing public footpath leading to a perfect location for a viewing screen, soon to be installed.”

The provision of a viewing screen in the chosen location, has a reed fringe along its path and leads visitors to a site that provides an opportunity to ‘see into’ the wetland and get good views of the many thousands of wintering birds for which the reserve is specially protected.

Viridor Credits was established in 2001 to distribute money from landfill taxes generated by landfill operator Viridor. The landfill tax is levied on landfill operators for every tonne of waste put into landfill in a bid to encourage higher levels of recycling and waste prevention.  Landfill operators are able to use a percentage of the Landfill Tax to provide funding for environmental bodies, such as Viridor Credits, who can then distribute these funds to qualifying local community projects across the UK. In the ten years of its existence, Viridor Credits has distributed £80million to projects like these.

Lisa Nelson, General Manager of Viridor Credits said: “The RSPB have once again demonstrated their commitment to providing havens for wildlife, as well as quality access for the public to enjoy the wildlife they protect. I am proud that Viridor Credits has helped to support such a scheme” 

Viridor Credits is looking for further projects to fund located within 10 miles of Viridor-managed landfill sites. Community groups can  visitwww.viridor-credits.co.uk, call 01823 624656, email enquiries@viridor-credits.co.uk or write to Viridor Credits Environmental Company, Aintree House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2PX for more information.

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For more information and to arrange an interview please contact:

Tony Whitehead, RSPB South West Press Officer 01392 453754, 07872 414365, tony.whitehead@rspb.org.uk