We are delighted to share that the Community Earth Project has secured the right to buy seven acres of land along the upper reaches of the river Esk. The riverside plot is perfectly situated with excellent road access and has huge potential to benefit nature and the community. 

The site will become Bow Bridge Community Meadows and it will be held in perpetuity by a Land Trust for the benefit of nature and communities around the Esk Valley.

 

An oasis for wildlife 
Bow Bridge Community Meadows will be a mosaic of habitats created with careful planning from expert ecologists and in consultation with the North York Moors National Park.  The sheep pastures will become vibrant wildflower meadows with mowed walkways. The wetter areas will turn into wetlands and a wildlife pond and dense spruce trees will in time give way to native woodland. A community orchard will produce delicious and healthy fruit to be shared in the community and amongst those who need it most.

 

Who will benefit?
Bow Bridge Community Meadows will be a place for everyone to get involved in communal tasks to help create and maintain the habitats. It will be a place for young people to learn about nature and see wildlife up close. Less mobile people will have the opportunity to get close to nature too, to join in workshops and sit and watch the river Esk go by. Families will be able to join community gatherings in the autumn to harvest and juice the fruits from the orchard, and enjoy other events celebrating nature and local culture. Opportunities to connect with the natural world will also be offered to those suffering from illness and those isolated from the benefits of being in nature.

 

Can you help to bring this vision to life?
To be able to hold land for the community, CEP will become a legally recognised organisation. If you have experience in setting up a business or a charity and you can spare some time to help, please do get in touch. We are also looking for volunteers with skills in nature restoration, fundraising, communications, and events management. You may also like to get involved by joining our volunteer workforce and helping with nature restoration projects. Please email cepsteering@gmail.com with any offers of help. 

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Donate 
A local community group has agreed to purchase the site on our behalf. They will hold it for up to a year to give the Community Earth Project time to raise the necessary funds. We have already been awarded a generous grant of £50,000 from the Bernard Nevill Estate which means we are over halfway to our goal of £90,000 to cover the land purchase and legal fees. We need to raise £40,000 in donations from the local communities as well as friends and supporters of the Community Earth Project. Please do consider giving what you can via our Crowdfunder. You can also sponsor a native tree or a square of the site, in your name or as a gift.

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