The University of Nottingham’s Diamond Wood, located at Sutton Bonington continues to thrive.
In August 2013 the Grounds Maintenance Manger (Martyn Lloyd) provided us with images of the woodland in bloom, which displayed the different species of plants and insects which have started to make the Diamond Wood their home.
The Diamond Wood site constantly developing and evolving, in April this year, to capture the current sate of the woodland area, three interpretations boards were installed on the site (2 at the entrance from Pasture Lane and one at the river's edge). These boards (made by local company Caliba), contain information about; the Diamond Wood concept, the creation of the site, how the local community were involved in the planting of the trees and how the two separate woodland site, which make up the Diamond Wood, are connected via public footpaths through Sutton Bonington village.
The interpretation boards were needed not only to inform visitors to the site about the local environment, but draw their attention to the river Soar which runs along the west of the site. The boards also provide a guide to the species of plants and animals which can be spotted at the site.
The Diamond Wood is still in its relative infancy (only 2 years old) but there is already a high diversity of tree, plant and insect species which can be explored whilst walking through the sites. The wood attracts many visitors through out the year and the boards will allow them to enjoy the space a little more.
The development of the site is therefore happening in different phases, this will allow the site mature at a natural rate. This current phase has consisted of the placing of benches throughout the site and a kneel rail being constructed at the edge of site and the interpretation boards.
The Diamond Wood was designed with the hope of being both a recreational and educational facility for the whole community and is part of a bigger vision to create productive landscapes where wildlife and people flourish.
Estate Office, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD Email: sustainability@nottingham.ac.uk