Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has awarded Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with £20,000 to support an innovative conservation grazing project that will help create more diverse and climate-resilient habitats along the Derwent Valley corridor.
The funding, provided by Tarmac and awarded by the Derbyshire Environmental Trust, will enable the Trust to develop and install a specialist pig grazing scheme at Leigh Wood, near Cromford. The project forms part of wider efforts to enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of local habitats in the face of a changing climate.
The initiative supports Tarmac’s commitment to restoring nature, enhancing biodiversity and creating lasting environmental benefits in the communities where it operates. Through partnerships with conservation organisations and local stakeholders, Tarmac continues to support projects that help protect and restore valuable habitats while delivering positive outcomes for wildlife and people.
The project will see specialist grazing pigs introduced to a 1.4-acre area within a four-acre meadow. Through their natural rooting and foraging behaviour, the pigs will help create a rich mosaic of habitats, including grassland, ponds and areas of bare ground, while also reducing the dominance of bracken. This will encourage greater diversity in both plant and animal species and support a healthier, more varied ecosystem.
Preparatory work for the project is already underway, with specialist fencing installed in April. The pigs will be housed in a mobile pig shelter that can be relocated as grazing areas change, allowing the project to expand to other suitable locations across the Derwent Valley in the future. Information boards will accompany the grazing areas to help local residents and visitors learn more about the conservation benefits of the scheme.
The project is expected to use heritage and traditional pig breeds, including Tamworth, Tamworth x Wild Boar and Mangalitsa pigs, chosen for their long snouts and hardy nature, making them well suited to conservation grazing in all weather conditions.
Community engagement is also a key part of the initiative. A team of 12 local volunteer ‘pig checkers’ will help monitor the welfare of the animals and inspect fencing, creating opportunities for local people to play an active role in protecting and enhancing their local environment. Public access will remain available adjacent to the grazing area, allowing visitors to observe the project and its progress.
The first pigs are expected to be released onto the site in July.
James Rhodes, Restoration Manager at Tarmac, said: “At Tarmac, we recognise the important role that habitat restoration and nature recovery play in building a more sustainable future. We are delighted to support Derbyshire Wildlife Trust through the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund and help deliver this innovative project, which uses natural processes to create richer, more resilient habitats. The grazing scheme will provide long-term benefits for biodiversity across the Derwent Valley while also creating opportunities for local communities to engage directly with conservation and environmental stewardship.”
