A joint initiative between Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Tamworth Borough Council, this project started in September 2003 and involves local people in improving the wild spaces of Tamworth for both people and wildlife. The project is jointly funded by Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire Environmental Fund.

Through the project, valuable sites are designated as Local Nature Reserves, while local community conservation groups are established to manage the sites which are important to them.

Hodge Lane, in Amington, was the only existing Local Nature Reserve in Tamworth prior to the "Wild about Tamworth" project. In February 2004, Hodge Lane Conservation Group was established, and local volunteers have carried out a work day in the reserve on the last Sunday of every month since then. They also involve local experts in mammal and bird surveys, hold activity days in the reserve for local schools and apply for funding to make further improvements to the site.

Kettle Brook, which stretches from Glascote to Wilnecote, and runs through Belgrave, was declared as a Local Nature Reserve in July 2004 through the "Wild about Tamworth" project. 

The Friends of Stoneydelph Lakes formed in early 2009 and have begun holding monthly tasks to involve more members of the community in the management of this area of Kettlebrook LNR. The "Wild about Tamworth" project hopes to work with other local groups on different areas of Kettlebrook during the next few years. 

The Friends of Warwickshire Moor was established in January 2005; this group of local residents looks after Warwickshire Moor in Bolehall, meeting on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month. Following some large scale wetland habitat work, which has created a series of ditches and pools, much of the work required here is now to improve the access around the site.

Tameside Wildlife Conservation Group was set up in April 2006 to manage Tameside Nature Reserve in Fazeley. This group meets on the second Sunday of every month to carry out work such as island management, otter holt construction and bench building. Future plans for the site include a large-scale wetland improvements project scheduled to commence in August 2009.  The plans are to re-profile the banks of the River; link the lake and the River and create a series of small pools and scrapes which will increase the biodiversity and amenity value of the site. 

Dosthill Park Wildlife Group was formed in June 2007. Volunteers meet on the first Sunday of each month to carry out conservation work in Dosthill Park. The group are keen to improve the site for both wildlife and to educate people as to its value and have been working closely with the local primary school to develop an education pack that will enable groups to use the site to support their curriculum and SATs work. 

The group have been working closely with Tamworth Borough Council and the” Wild about Tamworth” project officer to develop a management plan, the first stage in becoming a designated LNR. 

The Town Wall Conservation group formed in 2008 and have begun carrying out practical conservation tasks on the Town Wall site on the second Sunday of the month. The group are keen to improve the access to the site and to reinstate some of the original features including a wildflower meadow and a pond. The group have been working closely with Tamworth Borough Council and the” Wild about Tamworth” project officer to secure funding and permission to return Town Wall to its former glory and increase its value to the wider community

The "Wild about Tamworth" project will shortly be working at other sites in Tamworth, aiming to involve local people and establish groups similar to those already working at the sites listed above.

The project also gives local schools and other groups the opportunity to go on educational visits to a Local Nature Reserve near them. Schools can arrange days with the Project Officers, who will take classes to the reserve and carry out environmental activities. These can include mini-beast hunts, bird watching and exploring the environment using different senses.

Lindsey Bates, the "Wild About Tamworth" Project Officer, is based at the Tamworth Borough Council Locality Office in Amington. If you would like a programme of conservation tasks, guided walks, talks and events in Tamworth, or further information about any aspects of the project, please click on the links on the right of this page or telephone Lindsey on 01827 59912 or 07970 067711, or e-mail l.bates@staffs-wildlife.org.uk.