Lancashire Wildlife Trust has announced the completion of its first phase of preparatory work at the new Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston.
The work has laid the foundations for the long-term management and improvement of the various habitats at the Samlesbury site.
The project has been financed jointly by Natural England through DEFRA's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) with £161,000 and Tubney Charitable Trust with £87,000.
It follows the results of an international design competition which laid down the style of the buildings to be built around the site.
Sophie Leadsom, reserve manager at Brockholes, said: "This financial support has been vital.
"We have been able to make a huge impact on the work of creating a fantastic nature reserve for the public to enjoy."
Ian Selby, Brockholes project manager, said: "ALSF support has enabled us to make a flying start while we firm up our long-term plans for the reserve.
"We are still on target to open to the public in 2010."
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