New era for riverbank nature reserve

In July 2022, Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) will become the new guardians of Frome Banks nature reserve in Stroud. Previously managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT), this wildlife haven close to the town centre is a great place for spotting birds such as dippers, grey wagtails and kingfishers.

Stella Parkes, chair of SVP Trustees; GWT CEO Roger Mortlock; SVP CEO Clare Mahdiyone

GWT Chief Executive Roger Mortlock says, “We’ve been rethinking and consolidating our nature reserves so we can work to create bigger, better and more joined up landscapes for nature across county, but we will be sad to say goodbye to this nature reserve – a fantastic oasis in the middle of Stroud and one of the best places in Gloucestershire to see dippers!”

SVP’s CEO Clare Mahdiyone says, “We’re so grateful to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for handing over the stewardship of this beautiful spot to us. We thank them for their sympathetic maintenance of this wild space and look forward to taking it forward to a new era.

“Frome Banks is a genuine wildlife haven in a semi-urban area, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a quiet break from the working day. We hope to make the area more accessible to the people of Stroud while retaining its biodiversity.

“Stroud Valleys Project are excited to be taking over the management of Frome Banks nature reserve and working with the local community to link green spaces together to extend our wildlife corridors. This will extend the green space SVP manages into the heart of Stroud as well as fostering links to the wider countryside.”