South Humber Bank Wildlife and People Project

Bringing the magic of the South Humber Bank's rich heritage to everyone

The five year South Humber Bank Wildlife and People Project (SHWAP), supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will bring the wildlife, built heritage and archaeological assets of the region together through education, recreation and the creation of new habitats. Better opportunities will be provided for the public to engage with their environment.

The project partners are the Environment Agency, North Lincolnshire Council, English Heritage, English Nature and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The Trust is a key partner and will be leading on the SHWAP educational programme based at Far Ings National Nature Reserve.

The SHWAP project area includes sites between Burton upon Stather on the western fringe of North Lincolnshire to North Killingholme in the east.

The main areas of activity are:-

• the creation of new wildlife habitats for priority species at Alkborough Flats;
• a five-year education programme developing environmental education for all ages at Far Ings National Nature Reserve, the Waters' Edge Country Park and Alkborough Flats;
• a heritage trail improving access to and linking sites along the South Humber Bank;
• the re-turfing of Julian's Bower, the maze at Alkborough that is thought to have been cut around the year 1200 by Benedictine monks who lived locally;
• excavation and restoration of the ancient earthworks of Countess Close;
• fieldwalking and survey projects to discover archaeological remains in the countryside.

The SHWAP logo was designed by nine year old Jessica from Barton St. Peters School.

 

An Opportunity to Learn

Facilities and services for both formal and informal education will be enhanced. The Trust has employed two Education and Project Officers to develop educational services for schools, colleges, and universities covering a wide range of subjects including habitat walks, freshwater investigations, management tours, sustainability issues and many more. Alongside services for schools there will be stimulating and enjoyable education activities for recreational groups, adults and families. Training opportunities will be provided on specific themes for the general public, teachers, work experience students and professionals. These will draw on the skills of people involved in conservation, environmental education and archaeology.

Bringing learning to you

Learning can also be brought directly to you through visits to schools, community groups and activities in urban green spaces. Activities, talks and information can be provided on a wide range of subjects from improving school grounds, advising on wildlife gardening to setting up community green spaces.

Get Involved

Whether it is practical conservation, surveying, education or public relations, there are many ways in which people can get involved as volunteers in the project. The conversion of the old boathouse at Barton will provide residential accommodation for groups and individuals who want to spend extended time working on the project.

Get Informed

A central theme of the project is to improve access and provide information for the people including the local community and tourists. Interpretative and promotional materials underlining the heritage value of the South Humber Bank will be developed. On-site information boards will explain archaeology, wildlife, habitats, management and conservation issues associated with each location and leaflets will be available to interpret the project sites.

Finding out about the Past

People have lived alongside the Humber for thousands of years and the area has a rich colourful past. Getting involved in archaeology will bring it alive and the Project will examine where, when and how previous inhabitants lived. There will be a series of field walking exercises hunting for ancient relics followed up by investigative analysis and informative talks. Follow the weblink to SHWAP at North Lincolnshire Museum for more details about archaeological surveys and how to take part.