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It straddles the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire county boundaries and is jointly owned by the two county Wildlife Trusts. In spring and summer the reserve's ponds and the wet sections of the canal are a refuge for grass snakes, amphibians and dragonflies. Butterflies and many other insects breed and feed on the wild flowers growing in the grassland. The meadows are best known for their birds. In spring lapwings can be seen performing their impressive aerial displays, while early mornings may offer the best chance of hearing the strange 'drumming' call of breeding snipe. More common breeding birds include the reed buntings with their distinctive black and white heads, and sedge warblers, more camouflaged but twice as noisy in declaring their presence. In spring and autumn the breeding birds are joined by waders, wildfowl and even birds of prey like the hen harrier. Many wildfowl stay for the winter, including a small flock of wigeon, numerous teal and a range of other species.

Erewash Nature Reserve is the largest area of floodplain and grassland in the Erewash Valley. It's managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Look out for water voles and water birds.

The Cotes Parkland was sold off in small plots during the nineteenth century when the area was being mined for coal and ironstone. Three of the ponds were constructed during the nineteenth century as a result of mining operations, but it is thought that pond 3 is considerably older. In 1942 the area was re-landscaped for public use by Italian prisoners of war and subsequently became very popular for walking and picnicking. The creation of Cotes Park Industrial Estate in the 1970s has isolated the ponds within an industrial and residential landscape. They fell into disuse and decay and suffered from pollution. In the late 1980’s the borough council improved the ponds, which encouraged angling, walking and horse riding, there is an active friends group who have raised funds in partnership with Palmer Morewood Angling Club to install new paths and fishing pegs, the Borough Council have also improved the infrastructure and work with the Environment Agency to combat pollution.

The area known as Allestree Park was enclosed in about 1818. The house begun by Bache Thornhill was completed by John Giradot (High Sheriff of Derbyshire) with three storeys and five bays, the central three bowed with an ionic columned porch. A large part of the estate was sold for housing development in 1928. The neglected house now stands in a 300-acre (1.2 km2) wooded parkland with lake, grasslands and former golf course, owned by Derby City Council. Allestree Park is designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

The 18-hole Golf Course opened in 1955, was closed in December 2020 and has now disappeared. There are several colour-coded & waymarked walking, running & nature trails to enjoy. Allestree Park is perfect for families to enjoy some fresh air and a stroll.

The Mapperley Reservoir is a very large fresh water lake that spans 17-18 acres and includes a nature reserve that spans 2 acres. The venue, surrounded by trees and situated in a very nice setting, is a nice place to fish throughout the year.

Still a lovely park but the golf course has closed and the Pro shop is no more so little opportunity for refreshments. In summer there is sometimes an ice cream van near the Hall. Park is due for "rewilding" which means there will be less open space for cycling and, for some obscure reason, a lot more fencing.

Mapperley Reservoir is a peaceful body of water surrounded by bluebell woodlands, rolling farmland and some fascinating remains from the area’s coal mining heritage. The countryside around here is great for wildlife spotting, especially bird watching. Keep a lookout for coot, moorhen, mallard and kingfisher. In summer, listen out for the songs of chiffchaffs, willow warblers and blackcaps, plus the more familiar calls of robins and chaffinches. There is a visitor centre in nearby Shipley Country Park.