According to the 2017 Nature in Rushcliffe Report, a record 10,200 hours of volunteer time (valued at £192,000) were recorded last year. This represents a phenomenal donation of time! The chances of ever being able to fund anything even close to that level of activity makes you realize how important volunteers are to maintaining the valuable habitats that support our local populations of wildflowers, insects, birds and mammals. An invaluable resource, indeed.
What’s more, this figure doesn’t even take into account the people who spend their time going out recording our wildlife, or the equally valuable backroom folk who run committees, fundraise, lead wildlife walks and publicise wildlife issues. Whilst Rushcliffe Borough Council does fund some activity and staff from charities like Notts Wildlife Trust carry out work locally, most of the effort is provided by people like you giving a bit of their time – perhaps a couple of hours a month – on a regular basis.
But we can still do more. Our Reserve Work Parties, which include Bingham Linear Park, Lily Ponds in Radcliffe on Trent, Meadow Park at East Leake, Sharphill Wood, Skylarks, Wilwell Cutting and Wilford Claypits would always welcome additional help with a range of conservation tasks. These include coppicing, grassland management, fence and path work, pond maintenance and more. As a reward, the work provides you with the opportunity of fresh air and exercise, and the chance to meet and work with a grand group of folk as well.
So do your bit for wildlife and get in touch. If you’d like more information about how you can help, please contact Gordon Dyne at gordon.dyne@gmail.com or on 0115 878 4842. Or, you can visit www.southnottswildlife.org.uk for a full list and details of all our Reserve Work Parties.
Gordon Dyne