Childwall Woods and Fields is owned by Liverpool City Council. In practice much of the day to day management of the reserve is done by a voluntary group, the Friends of Childwall Woods and Fields.
This was set up 30 years ago by local residents who were keen to protect this valuable natural and historic site from development. The group is currently in the process of becoming a registered charity. The Friends have gone through many changes of membership over the years but our focus remains the same and is summarised in our Mission Statement.
Mission Statement
Our Focus
The 39-acre, Local Nature Reserve (LNR) of Childwall Woods and Fields, its biodiversity, sustainability, improvement and protection.
Our Vision
For the natural environment of Childwall Woods and Fields Local Nature Reserve to thrive, be respected by visitors and be protected for future generations.
Our Aims
- We will enable and encourage sustainable use of the LNR by local people and seek their support for Friends of Childwall Woods and Fields in its conservation work.
- We will develop and implement our habitat management plans and deliver life-enriching events for the local community.
- We will provide educational events to improve public understanding of the natural environment within the LNR.
- We will seek ways to maximise the social value of the LNR, by promoting the natural environment as a refuge from modern life, realising its potential contribution to mental and physical well-being
- We will work with like-minded organisations and other interested people, especially those with expertise, relevant to the management of the site, in order to make best use of the LNR.
- We will liaise with local educational establishments to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
- We will aim to be fully inclusive, providing access to all, and incorporate this aim in our development plans.
- We will work to secure the long-term viability of the LNR, acquiring and investing sufficient funding to ensure the LNR will continue to benefit all users of the site.
- We will continue to work with Liverpool City Council as land owners to maximise the benefits of the LNR as a community resource.
The work of the Friends focusses mainly on 2 areas: organising regular events for the public and our members to promote knowledge of and enjoyment of the reserve. And doing practical maintenance and conservation work using our volunteers.
Details of the events can be found here: public events and member-only events.
Details of our practical maintenance and conservation work can be found here.
A good example of the work of the Friends of Childwall Woods and Fields is the Habitat and Access Improvement Project which began in April 2021 and is just coming to an end. We were awarded a substantial grant of £90,000 by Liverpool City Council and Veolia Environmental Trust to improve the paths in the reserve to ensure public access, and to improve the habitats and biodiversity of the reserve. Click the link for details of this exciting project.