Ivanvale

The Ivanvale Nature Reserve was opened to visitors of The Parrot Zoo in the summer of 2008. This is a conservation project set up by the zoo's own charity - The National Parrot Sanctuary Trust. Set in the grounds of The Parrot Zoo, the reserve covers 11 acres of land consisting of a 2 acre lake, a number of small water habitats and 14,000 new trees.

The name 'Ivanvale' was created as a tribute to two very special people who have helped the zoo in so many ways right from the very beginning, Ivan & Valerie Wright who live in the village of Friskney where the zoo is situated.

In the early days of planning the nature reserve, the zoo gathered together several quotes to have the large lakes dug by teams of professional JCB operators. With the cheapest quote coming in at a staggering £24,000, it looked like the idea of having lakes on the reserve would have to be abandoned. This is when Ivan came to the rescue and after a chat with Steve on what the overall design was, he borrowed an ancient classic digger and set about digging the lakes himself! During the winter of 2007, Ivan spent every day wrapped up in thermals even when temperatures went down to – 3, and slowly the lakes took shape.

With the lakes completed by the Spring of 2008, it was then the task of professional landscaper - Mark Vigrass (http://www.markvigrass.co.uk) to plant over 10,000 trees, a job that took him and his team over a week to do.

With the help of a very wet couple of months over spring, the trees soon took root and began to grow and by 2009 the charity made the decision to allow visitors to the zoo to walk round free of charge.

Ivan continues to help by keeping the grass pathways that take you around the reserve, looking neat and tidy. Relaxing picnic areas have been incorporated into the small meadows for those wishing to bring their own food.

Since its creation, we have donated all the trees planted within Ivanvale to 2 local hospices, The Butterfly Trust http://butterflyhospice.com and St Andrews Childrens Hospice http://www.standrewshospice.com/children_index.asp with the aim of raising valuable funds for these two needy organisations.