The group was formed in 1982 to resist the threat of urban development in the valley, when the City of Sheffield was expanding. Our main purpose now is to bring together people who have an interest in conserving the flora, fauna and habitats found in the valley.
We have a strong association with local statutory and non-statutory bodies such as the local authority Countryside and Planning Services at Sheffield City Council, Derbyshire County Council and North East Derbyshire District Council; Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, RSPB Sheffield, Sorby Natural History Society, Lowland Derbyshire Biodiversity Partnership, and Sheffield Hallam University. We also have links with other local groups.
We are a small family friendly informal group, who welcome all to our walks and meetings. Our activities hopefully enable participants to gain knowledge about their local area, make new friends, take part in healthy activities, and have the satisfaction of doing something for future generations along the way. Please contact us if you wish to take part in the activities – see the Contacts page.
We have a varied programme of activities:
• Wildlife walks
• Plant and mammal surveys
• Fungus walks
• Recording of species
We also try and keep the website up to-date on a regular basis to inform all viewers about the group and other associated groups activities. The group has received several awards in past years and continues to receive acknowledgements and commendations from the representative associations (previously identified) for its conservation efforts:
• 2011 Certificate from Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service for partnership working in conservation
• 2009 Highly Commended, Himalayan Balsam Pull Project, Sheffield First Environment Community Award
• 2008 Excellence in the Community, Derbyshire County Council
• 2007 Roll of Honour, Sheffield City Council S.E. Area Panel