Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Secures Farm Property Within Nature Reserve

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) has acquired a farm situated within one of its established nature reserves. The organization described the acquisition of Dryham Farm, located inside North Cave Wetlands close to Hull, as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to secure an incredible space.” The financial details of the transaction were not made public. According to managers, this acquisition will facilitate future planning efforts while simultaneously reducing disturbance to local wildlife. The purchase encompasses the farm’s structures. The associated fields had been obtained by a quarry operator over two decades ago, preceding their conversion back into wetland. Tony Martin, the reserve’s manager, commented: “North Cave Wetlands is a very important and locally beloved nature reserve, a fantastic example of a 21st Century nature reserve for people and wildlife.“We are delighted to be able to add another piece of North Cave Wetlands’ history to the puzzle. The newly purchased land and farmstead forms the historic heart of the site and will help us to secure the trust’s long-term investment in the reserve.” Mr. Martin further indicated that the acquisition, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, would enable the trust to “plan for the next phases of North Cave Wetlands’ future.” The YWT identifies North Cave Wetlands as one of the region’s most significant wetland locations, providing habitat for 16 red-listed and 26 amber-listed breeding bird species. Historically, the area constituted an ancient fenland known as Walling Fen, which was subsequently drained to establish agricultural land. This land remained under cultivation for several decades. In 1990, the site underwent conversion into a quarry. Operations for quarrying within the boundaries of what is now the North Cave Wetlands reserve concluded in 1998, after which initiatives commenced to restore it to its wetland state. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust assumed ownership of the reserve in 2000.