Links with Nature

Links with Nature Links with Nature
Restoring nature can make you feel good. Connecting people and wildlife in the Coalfields across 12 Greenspaces.

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

dLast Wednesday, Links with Nature volunteers and Greenspaces Officer, Hayley, returned to Elemore Vale to continue work...
17/06/2026

dLast Wednesday, Links with Nature volunteers and Greenspaces Officer, Hayley, returned to Elemore Vale to continue work on the recently re-seeded scallops 🌷

The team concentrated on removing new growth of dominating species such as bramble, rosebay willow herb, creeping thistle and cleavers. This will allow for more light to reach the ground, helping the wildflower seedlings to germinate 🌱🌞

The site's habitats are starting to “green up” very nicely, with species such as common spotted orchids, northern marsh-orchids, tormentil, oxeye daisies and common knapweed popping up 🌸 The team were pleased to see an abundance of wildlife using the site including a common buzzard, kestrels, chiff chaffs, willow warblers, a common whitethroat, red admirals, large skippers, a silver Y, small barred longhorns, common grasshoppers, a bumblebee blacklet, froghoppers, a broad-bodied chaser and a lot of bees: carder bees, white tailed bumblebee and buff-tailed bumblebee! 🐝🦋

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

For more volunteering opportunities contact Hayley, Greenspaces Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance

Last Tuesday, Our Hetton Park & Bogs Officer, Alex, and Greenspaces Officer, Hayley, were joined by volunteers and Wear ...
16/06/2026

Last Tuesday, Our Hetton Park & Bogs Officer, Alex, and Greenspaces Officer, Hayley, were joined by volunteers and Wear Rivers Trust to remove Himalayan balsam at Hetton Park 🌱

Himalayan balsam is an invasive, non-native species of plant that can often be found along our rivers and wetland areas. Each plant can grow up to 2.5 metres tall and can outcompete native species for light and nutrients, whilst their shallow roots can lead to soil erosion. Removing this species will allow our native flora to re-establish, protect the burn edges and create further diversity for pollinators 🌿💙

Whilst most of the team headed to tackle the balsam, others took to the bracken using a traditional method of scything 💪 Bracken, although a beautiful native fern, can grow in large and thick swards, often dominating an area. Unlike many ferns, bracken dies back in the winter, with its decomposition adding nutrients back into to the ground. By cutting back the bracken and removing the vegetation before it decays, the team can prevent nutrient return into the soil and allow light to reach lower ground flora 🌞

The team was treated to a sighting of a roe deer buck amongst grey wagtails, jays, and fledglings across the site 🦌🪺

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

For more volunteering opportunities contact Hayley, Greenspaces Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance Wear Rivers Trust

Over the past few months, Links with Nature staff and volunteers have been joined by a very special guest whilst out on ...
15/06/2026

Over the past few months, Links with Nature staff and volunteers have been joined by a very special guest whilst out on task across Sunderland's Coalfield...

In her project titled 'Protecting Wildlife: Everyone's business,' Scarlett, a photography student studying at University of Sunderland, has sought to capture the quiet yet powerful ways individuals and communities contribute to the protection of local wildlife by photographing Links with Nature volunteers out on task 🤝

Scarlett - “This project focuses on the people behind conservation, those who dedicate their time, energy, space and passion to support the natural world.”

Links with Nature staff and volunteers had the pleasure of seeing Scarlett's project displayed in an exhibition at Sunderland University last week and were blown away by the talent of Scarlett and the other students 📸🎨

We invite you to take a closer look at Scarlett's work in her blog, linked below, where you can also read Scarlett's account of creatively capturing the Links with Nature project 🌱👉 https://www.durhamwt.com/blog/guest/protecting-wildlife-everyones-business

The Links with Nature team would like to say a huge thank you to Scarlett for approaching us to help with her project and for showcasing the amazing efforts that our volunteers make to support biodiversity across the Sunderland coalfield areas 💚🌿

📸 Photos taken by Scarlett Jean Keyhoe

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

For more volunteering opportunities contact Hayley, Greenspaces Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance Clean it Green it in Sunderland’s Coalfield

On Saturday, Engagement Officer, Mary-Anne, teamed up with Connecting Through Nature officer, Cathy, for the event at ...
10/06/2026

On Saturday, Engagement Officer, Mary-Anne, teamed up with Connecting Through Nature officer, Cathy, for the event at Rectory Park! 🌿

As well as hosting an information stall, Mary-Anne and Cathy invited event attendees to make their own 'cress heads,' starting with planting cress seeds into biodegradable plant pots. The children then brought their cress heads to life through decorating their pots with smiley (or silly!) faces 🙂🤪🥸 When placed on a sunny windowsill, it'll only be a matter of days before these cress heads sprout some lovely, green hairdos! 🌱💇‍♀️

It was great to be able to talk with members of the local community throughout the event and to share with them the work of both the Links with Nature and Connecting Through Nature projects with Durham Wildlife Trust. Thank you to all who stopped by to have a chat or check out our stall and to the event organisers for a brilliant day 🤝🦡💚

For more engagement opportunities contact Mary-Anne, Engagement Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

The Old Rectory Durham Wildlife Trust Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance

Check out our new 'What's On' poster! 👀🌿Links with Nature has plenty of activities to get involved with this summer, inc...
08/06/2026

Check out our new 'What's On' poster! 👀🌿

Links with Nature has plenty of activities to get involved with this summer, including:

💚 Weekly volunteer sessions in habitat management
💚 Continuation of free, nature-themed, guided walks through Wild Wanders
💚 Monthly orchard sessions at Hetton Park Community Orchard

Also keep an eye out for details on our...

👀 Wildlife Discovery day at Copt Hill
👀 Continued community clean ups across our 12 greenspaces
👀 Volunteer Nature Training Days

There's a nature-based activity for everyone this summer! 🌞🦋💚

Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance Springboard Clean it Green it in Sunderland’s Coalfield

Take a look at these wonderful creatures photographed at Flint Mill by our Hetton Park and Bogs Officer, Alex, at the be...
07/06/2026

Take a look at these wonderful creatures photographed at Flint Mill by our Hetton Park and Bogs Officer, Alex, at the beginning of the week 📸

This ruby tiger moth (left) will have recently emerged from its cocoon and will now spend the rest of its days trying to reproduce. As adults only live for 1-2 weeks, it doesn't need to spend any time trying to find food and instead will draw on the energy reserves it built up whilst in its caterpillar form 🐛 Common food plants for the ruby tiger moth caterpillar include docks, dandelions, plantain and ragwort - all species we found in our recent Flint Mill bioblitz 🔎🌿

The banded demoiselle (right) is a large damselfly commonly found by slow-flowing rivers and streams 🌊 Males are a stunning metallic blue and can be identified by their dark wing spots, whilst females are metallic green 💙💚 The only other damselfly in the UK to have coloured wings is the 'beautiful demoiselle' - males of this species have entirely dark opaque wings and females have dark brown wings 🦋

Have you seen any cool insects lately? 👀🪲

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance

Last week, Engagement Officer, Mary-Anne, headed to Easington Lane Community Access Point to deliver some bee-themed eco...
06/06/2026

Last week, Engagement Officer, Mary-Anne, headed to Easington Lane Community Access Point to deliver some bee-themed eco activities 💚🌿

We had great fun sharing bee facts whilst making our own pinecone bumblebees to fly around the room 🐝

As it was a beautifully sunny day, we then headed to ELCAP's garden to hunt for bees and other insects amongst the flowers and vegetable patch 🐞🍅 After lunch, we spent some time learning about our 24 native bumblebees and made our own bee ID charts to help us spot the different species at home 🔎 We finished the day by playing several rounds of the 'pollinator game,' where everyone had a lot of fun pretending to be bees collecting pollen from a wildflower meadow to bring back to our hives! 🍯

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day 🫶 Let us know your favourite bee fact in the comments! 💛🖤

For more engagement opportunities contact Mary-Anne, Engagement Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance Easington Lane Community Access Point

Last Saturday, Alex and Mary-Anne from the Links with Nature team supported another fantastic session at Hetton Park Com...
06/06/2026

Last Saturday, Alex and Mary-Anne from the Links with Nature team supported another fantastic session at Hetton Park Community Orchard led by Mark from Living Woods CIC 🌳🍎

We began the session with noting down all of the flowering species we could see growing in the orchard before getting to work with some orchard improvements 🌱 The first task was to replace all historic tree guards and ties which were quickly becoming outgrown. When supports such as tree ties are outgrown by a tree they can 'strangle' the trunk, causing damage to bark and restricting essential nutrient and water flow within. The team replaced old tree ties with more flexible versions which should expand as the trees grow 💚 New, larger tree guards were also placed on the growing trees to continue protection from deer and rabbits 🐇

Finally, cardboard and bark were put down at the base of newly planted trees to supress the growth of hardy grasses and herbs. These plants would otherwise utilise nutrients in the soil, so supressing their growth can allow the new tree more access to these valuable resources at the beginning of its life 🌿

Thank you to Mark from Living Woods CIC for delivering yet another fascinating session full of top-tricks and insights into orchards and how to care for them, and to the session attendees for your fantastic work and care. We are hoping this orchard will be a place for the local community to enjoy and care for as the trees grow and produce fruit 🍎🫶

Upcoming sessions at Hetton Park Community Orchard:

🍏 Saturday 27th June 10:00 - 14:00
🍏 Saturday 25th July 10:00 - 14:00
🍏 Saturday 22nd August 10:00 - 14:00

If you would like to join our sessions, you can sign up here 👉https://LWNCOHP.eventbrite.co.uk

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland, UK Sunderland GP Alliance

Have you seen our Trail in the Trees for Hetton Lyons Country Park display at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve yet? 🎨🌲Thes...
05/06/2026

Have you seen our Trail in the Trees for Hetton Lyons Country Park display at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve yet? 🎨🌲

These wonderful plaques, designed and made by local community members with the help of Green Witch Pottery and Art, showcase the wildlife and heritage of Hetton Lyons Country Park. They will eventually be installed along a nature trail in the park for visitors to come and enjoy 🦆🐾🍄

The plaques will be on display in the Rainton Meadows visitor centre for a couple more weeks before the display moves on to The Lakes Cafe at Hetton Lyons Country Park 🌿Make sure to come and see them in person when you next pop-by for a wildlife walk or a cup of tea 🫖💚

For more engagement opportunities contact Mary-Anne, Engagement Officer: [email protected] 🌿

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and project updates or register to volunteer (18+): https://tinyurl.com/LWNVolunteer 💚 Book onto events and find out more about Links with Nature 👉https://linktr.ee/linkswithnature

Links with Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Coalfield Sunderland Community Let’s Talk HALO- Hetton Sunderland, UK Sunderland Volunteering Sunderland GP Alliance Springboard Hetton Lyons Country Park Friends of Hetton Lyons Country Park

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Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve
Houghton Le Spring
DH46PU

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