David Bellamy Conservation Award
Each year Professor David Bellamy invites holiday parks across the UK to participate in his Conservation Award Scheme, grading them as either Bronze, Silver or Gold Award parks, for their efforts and dedication towards conservation, wildlife and the environment.
Highfields Fishing Retreat of Mareham Lane, Sleaford entered the scheme just over 2 years ago (upon the park first opening) and was immediately awarded GOLD, the prestigious top accolade, which was an outstanding achievement considering it can take new entrants years to obtain this status, if at all.
Whilst awaiting this year’s results, Highfields learned by telephone, that they had not only achieved GOLD for the 2nd year running, but also had been nominated for and would be receiving the ‘Special Distinction Award 2010’ from Professor David Bellamy.
Professor David Bellamy said “Only a very small handful of parks receive this special award each year, in recognition of their environmental work being truly innovative and something of which they should be rightly proud. The aim of this award is to give these dedicated parks and their staff a big pat on the back and to motivate them to come up with even more good ideas in the future”
He continued ‘I have chosen Highfields Retreat to receive this well-deserved award for the development work they have done on the grassland and woodland areas around the park, the investment they have made in habitat retention and especially for the new Wildlife Hide in the woodland’.
Set in 120 acres of countryside near Sleaford, Highfields Fishing Retreat provides luxury holiday homes for hire and sale, and also has facilities for day-ticket fishing.
Over the past 3 years, they have developed the park (Highfields Retreat) just off Mareham Lane from scratch, planting thousand of indigenous trees, creating lakes, managing grasslands, re-vitalising woodlands and installing a reed bed.
Highfields Retreat is recognised as a wonderful ever-improving natural haven for Fallow Deer, Barn Owls, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, a host of wild birds and aquatic wildlife, flora and fauna. Indeed, many birds on the RSPB’S Red and Amber Priority Status lists are actually thriving at Highfields.
In addition to the wildlife habitats, great care is also taken in the areas of water conservation, energy saving and getting involved in the local community.
The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme was set up in 1996 by Professor David Bellamy and is designed to recognise British Parks for their contribution and commitment towards the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
The assessment of the Park covers many environmental issues - ranging from aspects such as the care of hedgerows and wild flowers to the sitting of bird boxes and the development and protection of reed beds, wildlife ponds and lakes. Professor Bellamy also looks at aspects of park management which do not directly affect the immediate environment, but which are important in overall conservation terms, such as sensible water management systems, the utilisation of long-life light bulbs and recycling of waste.
For many years, our initiatives at Lowfields (our sister site) have earned us the GOLD award. Activities have included recycling, using low level lighting around the site, encouraging wildlife in all shapes and forms through creation of new and maintenance of existing habitats and erecting bird, owl and bat boxes. High-nectar flower borders have been created, water butts installed and grassland management techniques have been successfully utilised. We conserve our lakes and keep a three dimensional appearance throughout the site which helps to create a haven for wildlife.
At Highfields, there is much more scope due to the amount and type of land available. We already have a reed-bed system in operation which helps to purify waste water and there is lots, lots more to come!
