FIVE nature reserves will be designated in Sedgefield borough this month in a project aimed at bringing people closer to wildlife.
The idea of the Wildspace Project is to encourage local people to get involved in the creation and development of Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in the community and use the opportunity to learn about nature and wildlife issues.
As Sedgefield Borough Council's local nature reserve officer, Deborah Ferguson is responsible for getting people involved and encouraging them to develop the skills necessary to continue caring for the reserves in the future.
Her post is funded by a National Lottery award and administered through English Nature's Wildspace Grant scheme.
Miss Ferguson said: "LNRs are a good way of safeguarding some of our open spaces, especially in residential areas.
"They also give people a real chance to help improve their local environment and increase awareness of the countryside and wildlife on our doorsteps."
English Nature has already approved the five sites to be declared as LNRs at Ferryhill Carrs, Castle Eden Walkway, Bishop Middleham Commu-nity Wildlife Garden, Byerley and The Moor, in Newton Aycliffe.
Sedgefield Borough Council is organising an event to celebrate the declaration of the sites as Local Nature Reserves. It will take place on July 23, at 2pm, in the council chambers in Green Lane, Spennymoor.
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