Sheffield boasts 17 Local Nature Reserves following approval by Natural England:
- Ecclesall Woods, Millhouses
- Fox Hagg, Redmires
- Bowden Housteads Wood and Carbrook Ravine, Darnall
- Woolley Wood, Shiregreen
- Roe Woods and Crabtree Pond, Burngreave
- Loxley Common
- Wharncliffe Heath
- Wheata Woods complex, Grenoside
- Shire Brook Valley, Woodhouse
- Gleadless Valley
- Woodhouse Washlands
- Salmon Pastures, Darnall
- Sunnybank, Sharrow
- The General Cemetery, Sharrow
- Sharrow School Green Roof
- Townend Common, Stocksbridge
- Porter Valley (excluding the formal playfields and playgrounds), Fulwood
Area covered
These cover a total of 650 hectares (over 1,600 acres) and include a wealth of nationally scarce habitats including ancient woodland, unimproved grassland, and heathland, as well as old millponds, and other 'urban' habitats like those found at the General Cemetery and Sunnybank.
Protection
Declaration as a Local Nature Reserve gives all sites added protection from development. It also strengthens us and our partners' commitment to manage the sites for the long-term benefit of the wildlife, visitors and local people, and encourage their use for education. Many of the sites are managed by partner organisations:
- Sheffield General Cemetery Trust taking the lead at the General Cemetery
- Sheffield Wildlife Trust leading the way at Salmon Pastures, Fox Hagg and Sunnybank
- Steel Valley Project at Townend Common
- Friends of Porter Valley help the Parks and Countryside Service with the management of the Porter Valley Local Nature Reserve