Our second major project is to construct a Nature Trail. We will be building this in a modular fashion, as time, money, sponsorship and construction help allows.

Back in December 2011 we submitted (at short notice) a grant application to the Green Insurance Company. We were encouraged to submit a short 4 minute video, so over 3 evenings this is what your webmaster produced.

We've now got the sad news that we were unsuccessful, with most grants seeming to go to those involving schools and organisations working with young people. Nevertheless, we can use the material to help with another grant. If you know of a potential source of funding or other ways to to get this project off the ground, then do let us know (contact the webmaster). Read on to see our ideas.

Concept Design

At the recent AGM we presented our ideas for the various features that could be included in the Nature Trail. The first slide gives an introduction to that feature, as given at the AGM. Subsequent slides are examples from other websites. Click on each feature in turn. Note: some images can take up to 10 seconds to display and some images may no longer be available at the 3rd party websites.

Your feedback

What do you think about the including the above various features in the Nature Trail? And also the type of materials and design of the features used?

• The feature items are named above the photos by their feature name and the photo number (e.g.picnic table 1).

Please give us your feedback. You may like to look at the criteria listed below.

• opens a new window/tab so you can switch between this page, the pond drawings, and the form page. Hint:
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Choosing the Features and Design Specifications

The Committe will need to firm up on the priority order for constructing the Nature Trail and then decide the design type of each feature. We have been offered timber so many of the items could be constructed with little cost provided we can find the manpower.

• Leo Wirtz, Wiltshire Council's Senior Countryside Ranger, has most kindly offered to help in his spare time as he is qualified to use a chain saw and has a passion for making sculptures out of timber. See the large snail he has offered to make for the prize in our logo competition.

Priority Criteria

Construction priority will be determined therefore by various criteria, for example:

• cost - is the cost within the amounts we can raise through donations or sponsorship or donated materials
• time - can we construct it with our own labour or with time given freely by specialists
• support -  does it have the support of our members and supporters
• aesthetical - is the design pleasing to look at and does it fit in with the environment of a nature reserve
• environmental - will it be compatible with wildlife both in its construction, by its presence and in its use by humans

Gaining Land Owner's Permission

We will need to gain permission from Wiltshire Council, as owners of Biss Meadows, to undertake the construction. This should be a formality as they are very supportive of the proposals but they need to ensure public safety and arrangements for ongoing maintenance..

Ecological and Environmental Aspects

None of these proposals are likely to have an major adverse impact on wildlife but we will need to check this out. For example, the location of picnic tables should not be near the normal nesting place of the swans. Consultation with an ecologist will identify flora and fauna in the vicinity, particularly if there are any protected species.