Clophill LakesThe Greensand Trust wishes to establish a Nature Reserve, enabling otters, sand martins and colourful dragonflies in the wetlands, to skylarks and wildflowers in the grassland areas. We will also provide public access in a sensitive and sustainable manner which conserves and enhances these emerging habitats, whilst enabling visitors to share in the benefits this very special environment provides. Please help us achieve this by supporting our Clophill Lakes Appeal About Clophill Lakes Latest news Events Appeal Clophill Lakes Update - February 2023 Clophill Nature Reserve receives funding boost We’re delighted to announce our Clophill Lakes Appeal has received a huge boost in funding, thanks to The Peter Smith Charitable Trust, bringing our new nature reserve for the local community ever closer. As promised all funds donated during 2022 were doubled thanks to a generous offer by the charitable trust led by our patron and former chairman Peter Smith MBE to match all donations made in 2022 – this resulted in a £10K donation. In addition a further £120K has been awarded, bringing us almost half way to our funding target of £295K. The Peter Smith Charitable Trust commented via our website that the £120K award is "to support The Greensand Trust in its efforts to raise the remaining funds required. This grant is dedicated to this (the Clophill Lakes) appeal, to fund the works to establish the reserve and open it for the public to enjoy as soon as possible." We still need your help to raise the funds we need to complete all establishment works - please donate now! Donations can be made at www.greensandtrust.org/Appeal/clophill-lakes. Public tree planting event As part of our works to transform Clophill Lakes into a nature reserve for the local community we're holding a public tree planting day on Wednesday 15th February between 10am – 3pm. Tools will be provided but if you do have your own spade please bring it along as tools are limited - planting instruction will be given No need to book, just turn up - access via car only via main entrance (SG17 5PL) Under 18s need to be supervised by an adult Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather as conditions can be muddy.There is a short ten minute walk to the planting area and there are no toilets available on site Establishment works continue onsite Work continues at Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve. In early January our rangers and volunteers finished clearance around the hidden pond and removed a corner of woodland by the entrance to the carpark so we can add a fence in later. They later dealt with the cuttings left in the carpark, took down a fallen tree by one of the ponds and chipped all the branches stacked along the entrance track. Charity Fundraiser supports Clophill Lakes We're very grateful to members of akarmalife Studios in Ampthill who completed a charity fundraiser challenge just before Christmas to do 108 Sun Salutations, raising much needed funds for our Clophill Lakes Appeal. Sincere thanks to akarmalife's Olena Baker for choosing to support us with her fundraiser - as she says: "Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve will make a positive difference to both local wildlife and our physical and mental health." They have so far raised £238 and every pound will go towards creating a new nature reserve for the local community to enjoy. If you are contemplating raising money for charity please consider setting up a fundraiser to support Clophill Lakes via our website. Manage Cookie Preferences