To support Ely Wildspace, join today!

A green corridor buffering the eastern edge of Ely, properly protected from harmful development and managed for the combined benefit of wildlife and local people.

With its spectacular cathedral, gentle pace of life, and delightful riverside setting, Ely is a special place to live. But its rapid growth has put increasing pressure on the city’s remaining green spaces.

Great crested grebe feeding chickThe quiet backwaters of Roswell Pits and the nearby wetlands and meadows along the River Great Ouse are now the last fragments of nature around Ely. Over 1200 people have joined Ely Wildspace (originally called LCPRE) to keep these places wild for the animals, plants and people to whom they matter.

The area is so important nationally it’s recently been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We are now working with agencies, landowners and our community to safeguard this wonderful place, enhance its habitats still further, and help people enjoy them in a sustainable way.

------- Latest News -------

Annual plant survey of Ely Common
18 June 2013 On Saturday 22 June, we will be undertaking our annual survey of plants on Ely Common. We'll learn how to identify what plants are there and add to the baseline data collected through the plant surveys undertaken in 2011 and 2012. Meet in the Environment Agency car park off Prickwillow Road at 10 am. Bring water and sunblock/rain gear (as appropriate).

Bird race bonanza
18 June 2013 Local naturalists enjoyed one of the loveliest mornings of the year as well as some fantastic wildlife encounters as they took part in last Sunday’s Bird Race around the Ely Wildspace. Among 77 bird species recorded in the spring sunshine, there were great sightings of cuckoos, hobbies, turtle doves and buzzards. Everyone also heard the extraordinary booming of the local bittern – one of only a hundred or so territorial males in the whole UK – and a lucky few also heard nightingale. Non-bird sightings included roe deer, hares and the rare adder’s-tongue fern. Details of the next Bird Race, to be held in the autumn, will be posted on our website.

Memories of Ely Wildspace
17 May 2013 We are very excited to be launching our 'Memories of Ely Wildspace' project at the end of May, an oral history project to build up a picture of the past and present use of the area. From 31 May, follow our Facebook page for news and updates and share your memories with this project.

 


To join LCPRE for as little as £1, click here..
To contact LCPRE, telephone or write to our secretary Pat Hillman (28 Juniper Drive,
Ely CB7 4TT; 01353 664115) or email lcpre@elywildspace.org.uk