A WILDLIFE trust which runs a popular nature reserve at Riddlesden has reflected on a successful year.

And the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has praised the public for its support in caring for nature during 2023.

The trust has around 100 nature reserves, including Low Wood, Riddlesden, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

It's notable for spring displays of bluebell and foxglove, and sightings of animals including roe deer.

Rachael Bice, chief executive of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, says: "We are incredibly proud of everything we've achieved for the region's wildlife, and there is certainly a great deal to celebrate.

"Our projects are making a difference on a significant scale, and we are helping new life to flourish through species reintroductions and breeding successes.

"More than ever before, Yorkshire’s wildlife needs the protection offered by our nature reserves.

"These incredible places, some of the best examples of a once rich and wild Yorkshire landscape, are now increasingly rare pockets of sanctuary and the last refuges for much of our iconic and irreplaceable wildlife.

"We are working to join up these pockets as best we can and have ambitious plans for 2024.

"However, we are facing a future of political change and a destabilised climate. This means it is vitally important we continue to speak up for wildlife and our wild places, supported by our amazing members and supporters.

"We thank all our wonderful members, partners, funders, visitors and volunteers for their ongoing support which has allowed us to make such a difference to our wildlife and wild places, and are proud to work on their behalf for the benefit of wildlife everywhere.

"It’s been a particularly exciting year for wildlife sightings across the region – we’ve spotted rare water beetles, ringed a clutch of barn owls and welcomed some breeding bird species for the first time."

Successful trust projects during the year have included the reintroduction of water germander plants, last found in Yorkshire 160 years ago; the opening of two new nature reserves, and the launch of a platform to encourage osprey to visit.

The trust says more than 1,000 volunteers have together contributed over 46,000 hours in 2023 to helping care for its reserves and wild places.

A programme of 485 events was held, attended by a total of 10,000-plus people, plus there were school and group sessions.

For more about the trust and to get involved, visit ywt.org.uk