A NORTH-EAST wildlife charity has been awarded funding to help its awareness campaign.

The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust has received the support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Northumbrian Water’s Branch Out Fund to help with engaging people and communities to learn about the importance of 'edge habitats' for wildlife.

These habitats, such as hedgerows, walls, field margins and road verges, have been found to act as wildlife refuges and corridors in the countryside, sustaining plants, invertebrates, small mammals and birds.

The funding will go towards the Trust's project which will explore how ecologically rich these habitats are in East Cleveland and how they are used by animals to forage, shelter, breed and migrate.

Thanks to National Lottery players and Northumbrian Water, summer moth surveys using transportable light sources will be used to assess how important edge habitats are for insects and the effects of edge quality on biodiversity.

The project will provide training and practical experience for volunteers to learn new skills, take part in surveys, and contribute to wildlife conservation.

People and communities will also have the opportunity to discover more about moths and to learn from experts about the moths to be found in their neighbourhoods through village based events in East Cleveland.

Using new GPS technology, it will also explore how hedgehogs are using the East Cleveland countryside and what n be done to help them move around.

Commenting on the funding Kate Bartram, the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust’s East Cleveland Heritage Officer said “We are absolutely thrilled that we have received this support thanks to National Lottery Players and Northumbrian Water.

"Edge habitats are frequently overlooked yet they form the connecting networks for wildlife in the landscape.

"This project will be a major boost for wildlife conservation in our area.”

Hedgehog and moth survey work is due to get underway in late spring 2020.

  • If anyone is interested in finding out more about the project and how to be involved then contact the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust on info@teeswildlife.org