The wood was in private ownership and was put up for sale on the open market, so we responded urgently to secure its future. We successfully negotiated the purchase with funds from a generous legacy gift and, thanks to your support, we have raised just over £78,500 to help with buying the wood. The total raised also includes a legacy gift from Trevor Hickman, who was a volunteer at Arger Fen.

Rowley Grove has now become part of Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale nature reserve adding to the range of habitats that support a great diversity of wildlife. To counter the climate and biodiversity crises, we desperately need more space for nature - 30% of land and sea needs to be put into recovery. Larger, more joined up spaces for nature are vital to allow wildlife to thrive and move through the landscape once again. Rowley Grove helps us achieve just that.

The wood covers an area of 12 acres (about 5 hectares) and is important habitat for many species and wildflowers typical of ancient woodland such as yellow archangel, greater stitchwort, bluebells, campion and primrose. Small-leafed lime, hazel and wild cherry also feature – once common, this mix of tree species is now restricted to a handful of ancient woodlands and is now considered rare in Suffolk. 

Thanks to legacy gifts, donations and your support, we’ve been able to secure this precious fragment of ‘old Suffolk’ for wildlife into the future. Thank you so much.