Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve

Boost your wellbeing this half term with a stroll through Smestow Valley led by Conservation Officer Jordan Ferguson.
This is a free activity but booking is essential. The link to book is in the comments.

Calling all Junior Ecologists! Join Conservation Officer, Jordan Ferguson, on a session to explore, discover and record wildlife species in various habitats around Wildside. Suitable for 7 - 11 year olds. Parents/guardians are required to be present to supervise the use of the recommended mobile nature apps that will be used.

This is a free event but pre-booking is essential. You can get your free ticket through the Wildside website (supervising adults are not required to book a ticket): https://www.wildsideac.co.uk/event-details/junior-ecologists

🌿 Canal Connectors Presents: Nature Connection Event 🌿

Take a break from the busy everyday routine and join Canal Connectors for a relaxing and fun-filled morning in nature at Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve 🌼

📅 Saturday 30th May 2026
⏰ Meet at 10:00 AM
📍 Cupcake Lane Café, Smestow Valley Nature Reserve, WV6 8NX

Whether you love nature, enjoy meeting new people, or just want to get outdoors more, this event is a perfect opportunity to connect with your local environment and community 💚

What to expect:
🍃 A guided local tour exploring the natural beauty and heritage of the area
🎉 Nature Bingo - fun for both children and adults
☕ A relaxing stop at the café at the end of the tour
🌱 Friendly faces, fresh air, and a welcoming atmosphere

This event is FREE and suitable for all ages.

Bring your friends, family, or come along solo, everyone is welcome! 🌿

Smestow Valley LNR update regarding Jack-Arch bridge

Following a recent inspection, we are aware of the issues with the handrails at the bridge and plans are in place to permanently secure them. In the meantime, a temporary solution will be installed to ensure the handrails are kept safe for visitors.

Thanks to everyone who has raised the issue.

Keeping Smestow Valley LNR safe from off-road biking

As spring arrives and the days get longer, our neighbourhood teams in Wolverhampton are increasing patrols to tackle the rise in illegal and antisocial off-road bike riding.

Officers are performing high-visibility patrols around areas of Wolverhampton, supported by drone monitoring from above. Teams have also been speaking with local residents, delivering advice leaflets, and continuing to work to identify and deter nuisance riders.

New signage has now been installed across sections of Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve to raise awareness and help protect the area. This forms part of a wider partnership effort between West Midlands Police, the Community Safety Team, and City of Wolverhampton Council.

We’re committed to keeping our green spaces safe, enjoyable, and free from dangerous riding.

If you see illegal or dangerous off-road activity, please report it so we can target patrols and take action. For more information, please visit: https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/news/2026/april/wolverhampton-teams-are-geared-up-to-tackle-off-road-nuisance/

Did you know most of the UK’s 270 bee species are solitary? 🐝

These tiny, often overlooked pollinators nest in wood, soil, and even plant stems, and they’re vital for our gardens and crops. From leaf-cutting artists to mud-building masons, their world is full of surprises!

🌼 Curious to learn more? Join Ron Rock at Wildside Activity Centre for The Secret Lives of Solitary Bees!
📅 Thurs 16 April | ⏰ 7–8:30pm
📍 Wildside Activity Centre, Wolverhampton, WV6 0HA

🎟️ Book now: https://www.wildsideac.co.uk/event-details/the-secret-lives-of-solitary-bees

There's still time to register for Ron Rock's talk tomorrow on the secret lives of solitary bees. Tickets available here: https://www.wildsideac.co.uk/event-details/the-secret-lives-of-solitary-bees

🌿 We’re hosting a City Nature Challenge Bioblitz! 🐞

As part of the City Nature Challenge 2026, we’re excited to welcome Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust to Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve on Saturday 25th April (10:00–14:30).

Join us for a day of wildlife discovery:

🔍 FREE guided walks led by the Wildlife Trust:
🌸 10:30–11:30 – Wildflower Walk
🐛 12:30–13:30 – Big Bug Hunt

Or explore in your own time, pick up spotter sheets and ID guides from the on-site stall and see what you can find!

📱We’ll be encouraging everyone to use the free iNaturalist app to record wildlife and help put the Black Country on the map during the challenge.

No booking needed, just come along and get involved.

This event has been made possible thanks to the amazing support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

We look forward to seeing you there!

🌿🎨 Calling All Young Creatives! 🎨🌿

Do you love getting creative and exploring nature? This is your chance to do both!

Join us at Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve for a FREE, hands-on stone painting workshop designed especially for young people aged 11–16. Be inspired by the natural world around you as you create your own unique designs and contribute ideas to an exciting future arts trail.

🗓 Saturday 28th March 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Wildside Activity Centre, Hordern road, WV6 0HA
💚 Completely FREE to attend

✨ What to expect:
• A fun and relaxed stone painting session
• A chance to share your ideas and creativity
• An opportunity to help shape a future nature reserve arts project

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get creative, meet new people, and make your mark in nature! 🌱

This event forms part of the project to Explore, Enhance, Protect & Promote Smestow Valley LNR and has been supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Wildside wellbeing walk, in association with Smethstow Valley Nature Reserve. Led by Smetstow Valley Nature Reserve's Conservation Officer, Jordan, join us for this calming and informative session through the reserve. Suitable for adults.