How The Chesterton House Foundation is Supporting Buxton Civic Association

We were pleased to award a £1,000 grant to the Buxton Civic Association (BCA), the leading environmental and heritage charity caring for Buxton’s woodlands and natural spaces in Derbyshire.

BCA manages ten community woodlands, covering around 200 acres, as well as Poole’s Cavern, Buxton’s largest non-profit visitor attraction. All proceeds from the Cavern support the charity’s work, helping ensure local residents have free access to green spaces for exercise, learning, and wellbeing.

Supporting nature and community

The charity’s woodlands provide a vital space for recreation, connection, and mental health support. Since the pandemic, local residents have been using these spaces more frequently, highlighting both their importance and the ongoing need for maintenance to ensure safety, accessibility, and biodiversity.

BCA’s team, led by Woodlands and Country Park Manager Harriet Saltis and supported by Ranger Sarah Fanthorpe-Smith, works alongside over 80 volunteers to care for the woodlands. Their efforts maintain habitats, manage trees affected by ash dieback, and create engaging features for visitors.

How the grant was used

The £1,000 funding was used to purchase a Woodsmith Log Lift and Shift Log Arch, equipment designed to move large felled logs safely and efficiently. This has allowed BCA to:

• Clear dead timber and plant new trees including Beech, Ash, Elm, Lime, Sycamore, Willow, Yew, Birch, Rowan, and Hawthorn

• Create features such as interpretation panels and benches for visitors

• Support biodiversity by building habitats, including otter holts, for wildlife such as squirrels, hedgehogs, bats, finches, and woodpeckers

• Train volunteers of all ages and backgrounds in using specialist woodland equipment

This practical support has strengthened the charity’s ability to maintain safe, accessible, and thriving woodlands for the community, while also enhancing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors.

Making a lasting impact

Through the support of this grant, BCA has been able to continue protecting and enhancing Buxton’s natural heritage, ensuring residents and visitors alike can enjoy these green spaces. By combining conservation, education, and community engagement, the charity helps foster a strong connection between people and the environment, benefiting both wellbeing and biodiversity across the town.