This 1.8 acre bijou reserve was acquired in September 2017 and represents another small but significant investment by the Society in its quest, “creating a better place for wildlife”.
No specific fund-raising effort was required for the purchase of this land as we had saved from member’s subscriptions and donations for years, waiting for such an opportunity to arise.
Toffling Hill is a small, easily accessed reserve, purchased to thank all those who have contributed to the aims of this society and have waited so patiently for such progress. The reserve has an interesting history being noted as one of only five internationally-recognised pantheistic nature reserves before we took ownership. Our Society’s motto, “creating a better place for wildlife”, is an expression of pantheism although we are not linked to this group.
Where?
The reserve is located midway between Ivy House and Hollym Carrs Nature Reserve along the green lane section of South Carr Dales Road. For those of you with OS maps the Grid Reference is TA3325 and the entrance is in the North-East corner.
What can be seen there?
The reserve is largely rather ‘rank’ and weedy grassland which is being ‘tamed’ by appropriately timed grass cutting. Ground flora is gradually diversifying. Peripherally there are magnificent hawthorn, willow and ash tree boundaries. There are some planted trees now in ‘full spurt’ growth and there’s a little scrub on the brow of a hill overlooking a pond. In 2023 a total of 100 trees and shrubs were planted for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee and in 2021/2, 15 apple trees were planted to form a small orchard providing pollen, nectar and fruit for insects.
The Future
A management plan has been developed in which a dominant target is bee conservation. The sheltered location and presence of some pollinator species is ideal for bees or which five species have already been noted.
Access and volunteering
One thing is for sure – we need people to come on board and help us to develop and manage this little reserve. It is an ideal reserve for young, old and infirm to access and enjoy.
