Reopening of nature reserve celebrating 80th year

A North Yorkshire nature reserve described by Sir David Attenborough as a "cathedral of nature conservation" is celebrating its 80th year this weekend.

The reopening of Askham Bog in York comes after a five- month closure, during which the boardwalk was replaced, vital management work was undertaken and the visitor infrastructure was upgraded.

Members of the public can enjoy guided reserve walks, pond dipping, a theatre production and crafts during the opening event.

David Craven, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Head of Operations in East Yorkshire, said they were "so pleased to be able to open the reserve again in time for school holidays and welcome visitors back".

The reserve is home to many species, from centuries-old royal ferns to hundreds of different moths, as well as the more commonly found robins, roe deer and dragonflies.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was founded to care for the reserve in 1946, and to honour the anniversary Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan has written a celebratory piece that will be split into two halves, the second of which will be buried in a time capsule to be reopened in 70 years.

McMillan said: "I wanted my poem to be true to the ideals of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and to inspire future generations to enjoy our wildlife – and, of course, to write poems about it!"

"Caring for Askham Bog has always been an honour," Craven said.

"But it has been particularly lovely to see and hear just how much Askham Bog means to York's local community whilst the reserve has been closed."

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