Wansford Pasture facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 3.1 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Wansford Pasture is a special natural area in Wansford in Cambridgeshire, England. It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique plants and wildlife. This area covers about 3.1 hectares, which is like 7-8 football fields! It's also part of a larger nature reserve called Wansford Pasture & Standen's Pasture, which is 7.3 hectares in total. The whole reserve is looked after by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (WTBCN), a group that helps protect nature.
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What Makes Wansford Pasture Special?
Wansford Pasture is a hillside that faces south, so it gets lots of sunshine. It has a special type of field called Jurassic limestone grassland. This means the soil is made from limestone rocks that formed millions of years ago, during the Jurassic period when dinosaurs lived! This kind of soil helps unique plants grow.
Unique Plants and Wet Areas
Lower down the slope, there's a wet area called a "flush." This is where water comes to the surface, making the ground very damp. Many plants that love wet conditions grow here. Some of these plants are quite rare in Cambridgeshire, making Wansford Pasture an important place for them to thrive.
How the Nature Reserve is Cared For
The Wildlife Trust works hard to keep Wansford Pasture healthy. They avoid using chemicals like fertilisers and herbicides, which can harm the natural balance. They also let animals graze (eat grass) on the land. This helps to keep the grass short and allows special wildflowers to grow.
Growing the Reserve
In 2007, the nature reserve became even bigger! Another area called Standen's Pasture was given to the WTBCN. This helped to protect more of the important natural habitat in the area.
Visiting Wansford Pasture
You can visit Wansford Pasture from Old Leicester Road. It's a great place to explore and see some of the unique plants and wildlife that call this special area home.
