Shrewsbury Countryside Unit

• Conserving the rich wildlife and countryside in and around Shrewsbury.
• Improving opportunities for people to enjoy and appreciate their natural heritage through quiet recreation and participation.

• We manage the network of Countryside Heritage Sites, Community Woodlands and other sites which are in Council ownership - most notably the Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve and the Old Shrewsbury Canal, to enhance their nature conservation value and improve access facilities for people without damaging this wildlife value. We do this by community involvement where much of the work is done by volunteers, trainees and local people. Countryside Heritage Sites are 22 Council designated sites within the urban area which were found to have the highest nature conservation value following a comprehensive survey in 1990. The Unit manages some 26 individual sites covering over 150 hectares (370 acres).
• We draw up, consult on, and implement Countryside Strategies. In 1991 this was the Shrewsbury Countryside Strategy, resurveyed in 2003 and adopted the Rural Area Countryside Strategy for the rest of the Borough.
• We provide specific nature conservation advice and guidance to other departments within the Council, and general wildlife information to other organisations, and the public.
• We promote the work of the Unit and the diversity of the countryside in and around Shrewsbury with this web site.