Sleningford Watermill Caravan & Camping Park - Conservation

Conservation

Sleningford Watermill Caravan & Camping Park has been a member of the David Bellamy Conservation Award scheme since 2000 and we have achieved Gold level every year so far.

David Bellamy Conservation Awards are made each year to parks which can demonstrate policies showing active concern for the environment. Assisted by local nature groups and holidaymakers themselves, David Bellamy looks at virtually every aspect of park management – from the protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling. Helping visitors to understand conservation is also considered an important qualifying feature.

At Sleningford we already have a number of conservation projects and facilities in place but it’s an ongoing process and we continually strive to becoming ‘greener’. Below are some of our ‘green’ initiatives:

• There are several wildflower areas around the Park where the grass has been allowed to grow providing excellent pollen and nectar sources for many insects.
• We have erected bird and bat boxes on the Park.
• We have created a Nature Trail which includes a Bug Hotel and Log Cabins, a Butterfly Garden and tree identification.
• The toilet blocks now have low energy lighting with movement sensors which prevent them being left on when the blocks are not in use.
• The toilet blocks also have ‘push down’ taps to save water.
• Recycling bins for paper, cans and bottles are provided on the Park. At the moment, our local authority does not have facilities for collecting plastic but there is a collection point at Morrisons Supermarket in Ripon.
• The shop stocks local produce wherever possible.

What our visitors can do to help:

• Ensure that no rubbish or litter is left on the Park.
• Don’t put barbeques directly onto the grass and don’t have open fires.
• Use the recycling bins whenever possible.
• Use public transport whenever possible, particularly our vintage bus service which stops at the Park.
• Don’t trample the wild flower areas or pull up plants or break branches off trees. The only plant we would encourage you to pick is the Himalayan Balsam which is extremely invasive and smothers native species – ask at Reception for more information.
• Walk to the toilet block and shop rather than using the car.

In addition to the above, visitors can also send a postcard to David Bellamy with comments about the Park which are included in the assessment. The postcards are available from Reception and previous comments include:

“It is a beautiful site here with lovely wildflowers and sand martins nesting in the riverbank. It’s clean and tidy with recycling facilities on site. The bug hotel and cabin are good ideas for encouraging wildlife. One very special site.”

“We have been to this park four times and on our last visit have seen vast improvements. We think it is the best campsite we have been to for conservation. We have three children and they can’t wait to come back soon!”

“We have had a lovely stay here. We are two families with five children between us who have loved looking at all the butterflies and dragonflies. They have also enjoyed walking through the wild meadows and playing in the stream. Good old fashioned fun which is what it’s all about! Excellent!”