Shire Brook Valley Species Survival Project
Introduction to the project
Sheffield City Council has been awarded £1,112,155 for the Shire Brook Valley Species Survival Project. This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
The project has also been supported by funding from partners and other organisations, totalling almost £400,000. These include National Grid, The Environment Agency, South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Yorkshire Water, Friends of Richmond Park and the South Yorkshire Badger Group.
The funding was granted to enable habitat creation and restoration/enhancement works to support species abundance and the conservation and interpretation of Shire Brook Valley’s heritage.
Reintroducing grazing at Shire Brook Valley
Minutes after the cows were released into Rainbow Meadow, mooing loudly in their excitement at exploring fresh pastures, the first person appeared at the gate. Seeing me in the field, he called over with a triumph in his voice, “I thought I could hear cows—I couldn’t believe it, but here they are!”
This was just the first of many conversations with local walkers, thrilled by the new arrivals. Many would take detours on their walks just to peer over the gate at the 17 Irish Dexter cows, a small native breed, along with one mighty Highland cow, her majestic curved horns adding to the scene. Those who remembered when cattle last grazed here nearly a decade ago were delighted to see their return.
The reintroduction of grazing cattle brings a touch of tradition back to Shire Brook Valley. With their natural grazing habits, these cows will help restore the historic woodland pastures by keeping brambles and scrub in check, allowing wildflowers, fungi, and invertebrates to flourish and enrich the biodiversity.
Shire Brook Valley is a story of transformation—from a once-industrial landscape of mining sites, sewage works, and landfills into a thriving natural habitat. The presence of kingfishers, buzzards, kestrels, and skylarks shows how nature has reclaimed and renewed this area. Today, Shire Brook Valley is not only a haven for wildlife but also an invaluable green space for the Woodhouse community and beyond. With an extensive network of pathways, scenic ponds, and open pastures, the reserve provides a welcome escape into nature for walkers, birdwatchers, and those simply seeking a peaceful retreat.
Patrick Gray, Grazing Coordinator
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