17/10/2025
Wild Work Day at Idle Valley with Notts Wildlife Trust
As part of our 30-year manifesto, we pledged to get hands-on. This week the team from Optima joined one of our clients the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at Idle Valley Nature Reserve on one of their wild work days.
Idle Valley spans roughly 375 hectares of lakes, wetland, grassland, scrub and woodland; it’s the largest reserve in the Trust’s care and a vital stronghold for wildlife in Nottinghamshire. It sits on former gravel workings.
What we did and what we learned:
▪️ We cleared a thicket of hawthorn and scrub to open up woodland edges and create natural pasture for grazing.
▪️ We were reminded that tree felling isn’t always destructive, it’s part of maintaining habitats and creating balance in a dynamic ecosystem.
▪️ Ally rescued a female toad now officially named “Tianna”. Tom attempted the classic fairy-tale test of “kiss it, see if it turns into a princess.” No princess emerged but the toad lives to hop another day.
▪️ Sarah became the wood chipper expert, making quick work of cleared branches.
▪️ We took a guided walk through parts of the reserve. We learned about beaver habitat engineering: dams, pools, channels. The Trust’s work shows how reintroducing natural processes can reshape landscapes for wildlife benefit.
Taking time out of the studio to make a hands-on difference was a privilege and a reminder of why protecting natural spaces matters. Thanks to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for having us and to the team for their hard work.
