Biodiversity

 Sustainable Hayfield Biodiversity Group 

Biodiversity is simply defined as the variety of life on earth – nature, in other words. Nature across the globe is in trouble, we are experiencing a dramatic decline in the number of species and this presents a direct threat to the sustainability of all life on earth. 

"The truth is, every one of us, no matter who we are or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature". Sir David Attenborough 2023 

Sustainable Hayfield Biodiversity group was formed in late 2021 as a sub-group of Sustainable Hayfield. We are a core group of likeminded individuals who have a keen interest in the biodiversity of our environment. 

We have a broad aim of identifying, maintaining and improving the biodiversity within the Hayfield area, whilst raising awareness amongst and encouraging engagement of the local community. We believe that people need to be aware of environmental issues in order to care about them and that only if people care about the environment will they want to protect it. 

There is an enormous amount of good work being done to help biodiversity in the UK by both individuals and organisations. In our third year, the 12 month period from spring 2024 to spring 2025, the number of projects and activities increased significantly:

·       We embarked upon a long term project to control and if possible eradicate Himalayan Balsam (designated as an Invasive Species) from the village. Having got permission from most of the local landowners, we managed to clear three quarters of Hollingworth Clough, involving 29 volunteers and over 200 man-hours of work. We have also established an informal network with other individuals working on the rivers Sett and Kinder. Over the next 2 to 3 years of similar efforts, we hope to see great improvements.

·       With grant assistance from Foundation Derbyshire and financial contributions from our local HPBC councillor we have successfully established what we hope will be the first of several wildflower areas in Hayfield. We envisage eventually creating a wildflower trail around the village.

·       With grant assistance from the governments Species Survival Fund, we have agreed and embarked upon a programme of woodland management work in Bluebell wood, a designated Local Nature Reserve. We see the restoration and management of this woodland for public benefit as a long term commitment, in collaboration with the landowner Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Service.

·       Our community tree nursery continues to produce several hundred young trees per year, for planting out locally.

·       We have further developed the surveying and recording of Hayfield’s wildlife, with formally-reported regular surveys of butterflies, bumblebees, bats, swifts and ancient/veteran trees. We encourage community involvement and continue to loan out our moth trap and bat detector.

·       We have continued to work with Peak District National Park on landscape-scale tree planting. This winter we have led the planting of 8000 young trees and hedge plants at a farm near New Smithy, using 30 volunteers from the local community.

·       We have, working with Peak District National Park, continued to organise and hold meetings with local farmers to encourage awareness and the take-up of national schemes which are aimed at helping their farm businesses whilst also benefitting the environment.

·       We have taken part in a national water quality monitoring project, in collaboration with Hayfield Womens Institute

·       We have developed our contacts with other local groups in High Peak, believing that shared knowledge is beneficial and that there is greater influence when groups act together. We have established good working relationships with councils and NGO’s.

For 2025/6 our aim is to continue to develop and expand the above activities and also to work with the Parish Council to make improvements to the Old School Field which will be beneficial for nature, whilst also increasing enjoyment of the area by the community.

We would welcome more people to join our group – expertise is not necessary, just enthusiasm and a little bit of time!

We have a facebook group ‘Sustainable Hayfield Biodiversity Group’, and also a Whatapp group ‘The Hayfield Green Team’, which anyone can join and contribute to.