Greno Woods Resilience Project: A Stronger Future for Nature

Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Greno Woods Resilience Project, a transformative effort to protect this ancient woodland from the increasing threats of floods, fires, and antisocial behavior. Thanks to a £35,775 grant from Biffa Award, we’ve taken vital steps to ensure Greno Woods remains a haven for wildlife and a cherished space for the community for generations to come.

Why Greno Woods Needed Help

Like many natural spaces across the UK, Greno Woods is feeling the impact of climate change. Heavier rainfall leads to flooding, while hotter, drier summers raise the risk of wildfires. On top of that, the woodland has suffered from antisocial behavior, including damage caused by off-road motorbikes and quad bikes. These issues not only threaten local wildlife but also make it harder for the woodland to recover from environmental pressures.

Building a More Resilient Woodland

Over the past year, our team has worked tirelessly to strengthen Greno Woods’ defenses against these challenges. Some of the key achievements include:

Flood Protection – We installed 10 leaky dams and 10 water bars, along with maintaining flood attenuation ponds to slow down heavy rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding. These features also create wetland habitats that support species like frogs, dragonflies, and wading birds.

Fire Prevention – To tackle the growing threat of wildfires, we:

• Upgraded access tracks so fire engines can reach the “burning heart” of the reserve.
• Installed emergency water storage systems to help firefighters respond quickly.
• Cleared fire breaks to slow the spread of potential fires.

Reducing Antisocial Behavior – To protect the delicate woodland habitat, we:

• Replaced boundary posts and rail fencing to prevent trespassing vehicles.
• Installed new signage to educate visitors on responsible behavior, discouraging activities like lighting fires and disturbing wildlife.

A Community Effort

This project wouldn’t have been possible without incredible support from volunteers. Their hard work in restoring habitats, maintaining flood defenses, and improving access has made a real, lasting impact.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the positive changes in Greno Woods,” said one volunteer. “This project proves that when people come together, we can make a real difference for nature.”

Chris Doar, Nature Recovery Manager (North-West) for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, highlighted the long-term impact:

“This project is a major step forward in ensuring that Greno Woods can thrive for generations to come. By tackling the challenges of climate change and human impact, we’ve strengthened this woodland’s resilience, allowing it to continue providing a home for species like oak, birch, hazel, pied flycatchers, and woodcocks. It’s also a fantastic example of how communities can work together to protect our natural heritage.”

Looking Ahead

With the project now complete, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust will continue monitoring the improvements and engaging with the local community to ensure Greno Woods remains a thriving, protected, and accessible space for wildlife and visitors alike.

We’re incredibly grateful to Biffa Award – a multi million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental projects across England and Northern Ireland as part of the Government’s Landfill Communities Fund – for funding this work and to everyone who contributed their time, skills, and passion to protect Greno Woods. This woodland is now stronger and more resilient than ever—and that’s something to celebrate!