Grant enables Hawk and Owl Trust to edge closer to becoming carbon neutral reserve

The Hawk and Owl Trust at Sculthorpe Moor has been able to implement three projects in its drive to become a carbon-neutral nature reserve thanks to a grant from the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund.

The new Dragonfly Hide and Education Centre has an off-grid solar photovoltaic system installed.

This new facility is now nearing completion. Approached by a boardwalk to maximise accessibility, the timber building blends into the backdrop of the nature reserve, and looks out across water meadows teeming with wildlife.

Warden Nigel Middleton said: "We usually welcome around 20,000 visitors to the nature reserve each year, and I believe the new hide and education centre, which will feature the latest computer and audio-visual display technologies, will greatly enhance the visitor experience."

Meanwhile, the nature reserve's car park has four electric vehicle charging points and the new offices which the staff and volunteer team at the trust moved into in June have an air source heating system.

Hawk and Owl Trust chief operations and executive director Adrian Blumfield said: "With 250 acres of land at Sculthorpe Moor, and over 3,800 members of the Hawk and Owl Trust nationwide, this new purpose-designed building is an ideal base for all those tasked with the management and administration of the activities associated with the on-going development of a charitable organisation that was founded over 50 years ago."

He added: "As we strive to achieve carbon neutrality, and I think we are now somewhere between 80 to 85 per cent of the way there, we are very grateful to the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund for its support of these three key initiatives."