Stroud Town Council’s Green Spaces Team is supporting an important wildlife monitoring initiative in the Old Cemetery Nature Reserve, with a special focus on small mammal populations.
This research project is being conducted by a dedicated volunteer as part of her university course, showcasing how academic studies can contribute to local conservation efforts.
Green Spaces Trust (GST) welcomes research projects of all kinds on the sites they manage, recognising the value that diverse studies bring to our understanding of local ecosystems. This particular survey is tracking the numbers of various small mammals, including bank voles, field mice, and shrews. These often-overlooked creatures play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of our local environment.
The importance of these tiny mammals cannot be overstated. As key components of the food chain and contributors to seed dispersal and soil health, they are essential for the well-being of our entire ecosystem. By monitoring their populations, this research is helping to gauge the overall health of the Old Cemetery Nature Reserve and informing future conservation strategies.
Recent survey efforts have already yielded valuable data, including the sighting of a bank vole in the reserve. Green Spaces manager Pete Bradshaw commented on this exciting find: “It’s not every day that you get to see a bank vole up close. They’re such timid creatures, so this sighting is really special for our team and the volunteer researcher.”
The findings from this study will assist with planning responses to land maintenance in balance with nature.
The Stroud Town Council appreciates the contribution of this volunteer researcher and continues to support similar initiatives. If you’re a student or researcher interested in conducting a study on GST-managed sites, or if you’d like to learn more about how you can volunteer, please contact Pete Bradshaw at pete.bradshaw@stroudtown.gov.uk.
