Menston Area Nature Trust (MANT) is a charity spinoff from CAM Treewilding group. Set up in 2021 to provide habitats for wildlife, enhance nature recovery, and engage and educate people about the natural world it has gone from strength to strength. They manage Miss Porritt’s field, in the centre of Menston and work closely with the local community, school and other groups to plant trees, enhance the park for all and encourage people to allow wildlife to flourish in their gardens.
In March 2023 the opportunity arose to work with groups in Otley (including Otley 2030 & Wildlife Friendly Otley) and Ilkley to buy a 20 acre block of mature woodland called East Wood, Weston. Thanks to an amazing response from the community and the help of a philanthropist Julia Davies who is providing a generous loan, their bid was successful and the acquisition is going ahead. They still need to raise over £70,000 to pay back the loan. If you would like to know more about this venture, or donate to the cause, please visit https://mant.org.uk/east-wood-acquisition/
