MANX WILDLIFE TRUST EXPANDS ITS RAMSEY HAIRPIN WOODLAND PARK SITE

Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) will be expanding its Ramsey Forest site, MWT Hairpin Woodland Park (HWP), thanks to a grant of £50,000 from Manx Lottery Trust.

MWT, which is the Isle of Man’s leading nature conservation charity, has purchased a c.15 acre plot of land at Crossags, which sits adjacent to the existing HWP site and comprises two fields. The charity plans to protect and enhance the land, which includes a woodland covered hillside, turning it into an accessible woodland green space for residents and visitors.

The purchase forms part of the charity’s Ramsey Forest Project, which aims to create the Island’s first National forest by expanding and linking the glens, plantations, and woodlands between Ramsey and Sulby. Launched in 2014, the aim was to increase woodland cover from 20% to 30% over 30 years.

Leigh Morris, CEO for Manx Wildlife Trust, commented: ‘Purchasing the new land at Crossags has given MWT the opportunity to create an accessible green space for the people of Ramsey and beyond, connecting people to nature, enhancing the health and wellbeing of the community, whilst increasing biodiversity in the area. The HWP will be a major place for us to engage people with Manx nature.

‘Crossags is an area of outstanding natural beauty and acts as the visual and physical backdrop to Ramsey. This funding will go a long way in helping the charity to enhance and improve the existing landscape at Crossags, creating a haven for local wildlife and people alike and we are beyond grateful for the support we have received from Manx Lottery Trust in making this happen.’

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: ‘The Trust are pleased to support this initiative and look forward to seeing Crossags and the Hairpin Woodland Park’s natural landscape blossom over the coming months and years.’ 

To find out more about Manx Wildlife Trust’s conservation work and the charity’s various sites, visit: www.mwt.im.

This grant has been awarded from Manx Lottery Trust’s Dormant Assets Fund. To find out more, head to: www.mlt.org.im/grant-programmes.