“ @TicesMeadow is my love. I love the place so much. It would make me feel very emotional if it were to be sold. The worst thing, that I dread, is it being turned into water leisure park. That would destroy the habitat.” Len Winchcombe #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

@TicesMeadow is a small, 150-acre multi-award-winning nature reserve on the site of the former Farnham Quarry. It is situated in the London commuter belt of west Surrey, nestled between Farnham and Aldershot next to the A31 #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

However, the site is at risk. It has been put up for sale on the open market by the quarry owners, Hanson Aggregates. The site is listed as an Asset of Community Value, and as such the community has a "right to buy" window to raise funds for a bid. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The site is registered with @SurreyCouncil’s ‘Your Fund Surrey’ scheme for a grant. If successful, the funds will be used to purchase @TicesMeadow Nature Reserve and place it in trust (or similar) for the benefit of the local community. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The habitats @TicesMeadow consist of a mosaic of open water, gravel islands and scrapes, reedbeds, scrub, woodland, ephemeral ponds and wet and dry grassland. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The water levels rise and fall by up to 5m a year (66-71m), flooding ponds and paths and providing flood plain catchment for the River Blackwater as well as run off from the surrounding hills and A31 and A331 roads. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The nature reserve is considered one of the best inland sites to watch birds in SE England & has become a very special place. Since the bird group formed there’s been a great sense of camaraderie, fostering a spirit of openness and volunteering. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

“For a fairly innocuous little place some of the rarer species you can see here are amazing. Maybe it’s not surprising given it’s on a flyway but it deserves its reputation as once of the best bird sites in Surrey.” @johnshunt1 #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Kestrel box. The volunteer group have been responsible for @TicesMeadow infrastructure, inc fences, bird boxes, signs & more. That amounts to ~13K volunteer hrs at >£130K over 4 yrs (figures: Heritage Lottery calculations by Tice’s Meadow Bird Group). #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The @TicesMeadow Bird Group document and survey all the birds and other species found in the nature reserve. They conduct several bird-ringing events per year as well as hosting an annual BioBlitz event, when pandemic restrictions allow. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

"The biodiversity here is also incredible. When it comes to it our hobby [birdwatching] is way down the list compared to preserving that" @johnshunt1. @TicesMeadow is home to more than 1,500 documented species #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

The @TicesMeadow Bird Group & volunteers work continues outside the sites boundary in the community. They are working with organisations to increase biodiversity and create a home for other animals both within the site and in other local areas. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Bill Downey, @savebutterflies, & Libby Ralph, Farnham Biodiversity Partnership, with Oliver Sackwood @TicesMeadow Bird Group find an ideal spot to plant kidney vetch. which will help populations of Britain’s smallest butterfly, the small blue, thrive. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

As the site has become more popular, especially during the pandemic, it has provided local adults and children with a way to interact with, and learn amongst, nature, like Freddie Kearton & family. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Badshot Lea village infants school visit @TicesMeadow for outdoor classes. ”We could have been in the classroom for the year and not learned about nature as quickly as you do in nature.” Ms Stocker, Yr 2 teacher #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Many people come to @TicesMeadow to pursue their hobbies or interests; birding, wildlife photography, dog-walkers, runners. Others have said how beneficial being out in nature has been for their mental wellbeing, especially during the pandemic. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Josie Moore, with daughter Ruby, told me: “Tice’s Meadow has been our sanity during lockdown. I’d go mad if we couldn’t get outside into a place like this. To have a wetland in a built-up area is a gift. Why would anyone develop or build on a wetland?” #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

Sarah Beckett said “Lockdown has been awful. I’ve struggled with mental health on and off for years. I would move if @TicesMeadow was sold. Having a place like this near to me is non-negotiable.” #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

It is spring now and @TicesMeadow is coming alive with birdsong & buzzing. Butterflies and other insects are emerging, the migratory birds are returning, foxes & cubs can be seen in the fields. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

If the site is sold and developed, the animals and birds @TicesMeadow will have to try and adapt or move on. This will put pressure on the the ecosystems in other areas of nature. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

And what of the people of the towns & villages who have become connected to this piece of nature on their doorstep? They will feel its loss keenly. #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay

For more information on @TicesMeadow and how you can help visit http://www.ticesmeadow.org/  #SaveTicesMeadow #EarthDay