Local Nature Reserves
are protected open green spaces for local people, which are
designated by councils after guidance by English Nature.
All the Local Nature
Reserves within Mansfield District have a town centre or urban
fringe location. Although the sites have high wildlife content, the range and types of
species are limited due to their location. Many of the sites have a high level of post-
industrial archaeological heritage features, which are an important part of the area’s
rich history.
These urban based sites
provide an excellent opportunity for the provision of
amenity, recreation and educational resources to a population with limited access to
open green spaces.
As part of the designation
process, Management Plans for each Local
NatureReserve have been prepared. Each Management Plan begins by explaining
the roles and responsibilities of the Council and its partners in managing a Local
Nature Reserve. All partners have agreed to work to five key Management
Objectives for the
Mansfield District Local Nature Reserve Sites, which are to:-
v Maintain
and enhance the habitat types and species present
v Combine
habitat enhancement and management with education,
recreation and access provision
v Encourage
public understanding and awareness of issues relating to the
site
v To
conserve and interpret the archaeological and historical elements on
the site
v Monitor
effects of management on the wildlife on the site
The purpose of the
Management Plans is to describe each site and to decide what
prescriptions or actions are required, by whom and by what date, so that the sites
can be improved in line with the Management Objectives.
Public consultation
and support for the designation of Local Nature Reserves is an
important element of the designation process. The Council has tried to keep this
Management Plan short and simple, so that it is easy to understand.
They recognise that
the establishment and involvement of Friends Groups offer a
valuable resource in terms of future management. Where local volunteering,
enthusiasm and ideas for improving our local environment are developed, it is
anticipated that the Management Plan will be adjusted accordingly. Once a year,
there will be report on progress in meeting the prescriptions of the plan.
