‘The Best Day of My Life’ As Nature Reserve Opens In Son’s Memory

The first phase of a new nature reserve near Great Bowden has officially opened, creating a lasting legacy in memory of a man who dedicated his life to conservation.

The 50-acre site on both sides of the A6 was gifted to the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust by Mick Adler following the sudden death of his son James in 2023.

James, who was 42 when he died, was a conservationist and was Chief Executive of Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. He loved the outdoors, and his father wanted to create a place where his memory could live on.

Mick Adler officially opens the James Adler Nature Reserve in memory of his son, James (inset photo)

More than 20,000 trees have been planted at the site, accessed off Dingley Road, transforming the land into a wildlife haven for people to explore.

It has been named the James Adler Nature Reserve.

The land has a special connection for the Adler family. Mick grew up in Market Harborough and inherited the site from his grandfather, spending many hours exploring the area as a child. James also visited the land, which is now home to the River Welland as it winds through the reserve.

Mick said he wanted the project to become a lasting tribute to his son, who died from Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, a rare group of conditions affecting connective tissues. James’s older brother Tom also died from the condition.

Mick spoke to HFM after the ribbon-cutting ceremony:

The Chief Executive of the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, Matt Carter, is encouraging people to visit the new reserve:

Volunteers who helped plant trees toured the site at the official opening

Volunteers who helped plant trees and develop the site told HFM they were proud to see the reserve open to the public:

The second phase of the project is expected to open later this year, when a bridge across the River Welland will connect the two areas of the reserve.