Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery
& Nature Reserve
A haven in
Middlesbrough.
Nature at work at Linthorpe cemetery
Nature Reserve
The Cemetery is like an oasis in a desert of bricks and cement and has an important connection with recognised green corridors, enabling wildlife of the district to move around both at night as well as during the hours of daylight.
Apart from the birds, mammals such as foxes, Rabbits, Roe Deer and the ever present Grey Squirrels move about the town quite easily but are not so easily noticed. The cemetery has a good selection of wildflowers that can be studied by local schools and even by the nearby art students.
Noticeable too are the increasing numbers of butterflies that are found in the cemetery throughout the spring and early summer.
Linthorpe Cemetery is the largest site of Urban woodland in Middlesbrough and, as such, is a haven for all kinds of wildlife, flowers and trees.
Linthorpe Cemetery is a local nature reserve. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are for both people and wildlife. They are places with wildlife that is of special interest locally, giving people contact with nature close to their homes.
Why is Linthorpe Cemetery a Local Nature Reserve?
Linthorpe Cemetery is a burial ground but it
also provides a large area of accessible
semi-natural greenspace in a densely
populated urban area. It is the largest
area of mature tree cover in urban
Middlesbrough providing wildlife habitats
especially for birds. There is potential
through conservation management
to improve the wildlife interest of the site.
The greatest contribution the site
makes is to the quality of life of local
people. It is valued as a place for
quiet reflection and informal contact
with wildlife.
What is the
Middlesbrough Wildspace! Project?
In 2001 Middlesbrough had no Local
Nature Reserves. Middlesbrough Council
was one of the first local
authorities to benefit from
English Nature's Wildspace!
Grant scheme, funded by
the New Opportunities Fund.
This has funded a
Wildspace! Officer
For three years to
create four
LNRs and to
Provide
opportunities for
local people of all
ages and
backgrounds
to get involved in celebrating
and caring for local wildlife.
Flowers & Funghi:
Enjoy the beautiful wild flowers at Linthorpe cemetery.
Birds:
Mammals:
Squirrels, Rabbits, Deer, Mice and many more mammals reside here.
Butterflies:
A wide variety of butterfly species can be found at Linthorpe
Linthorpe Cemetery has a Nature Conservation Management Plan
A five year Nature Conservation Management plan is required for LNR status. This defines the wildlife objectives of a site. It sets out projects to achieve these aims, with clear targets, timetables and costings.
Summary of the Nature Conservation Management Plan
The plan does not suggest any large scale changes to the existing maintenance of the site. Most of the projects are minor amendments of existing management practices to maximise the wildlife value of the site.
Flora & Fauna:
From Mighty Oaks to Humble grasses, these are all found at Linthorpe