Conservation Volunteering
The natural environment is important to each of us, providing our food, building materials, the air we breathe and special landscapes and wildlife for us to enjoy.
- Conservation in Bracknell
- You can help
- You Benefit Too
- How to get involved
- Blackwater Valley Volunteers
- British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)
- Hedge & Woodland Conservationists (HAWCs)
In the Bracknell area we are lucky to enjoy beautiful parks, heaths and forests such as Pope’s Meadow and Wildmoor Heath. Some rare or threatened species of animals and plants also live here, such as the Great Crested newt, Barn owl, Brilliant Emerald dragonfly and Cowslip.
Even the most urban areas of Bracknell support wildlife; gardens and even window boxes provide important places for many plants and animals.
However, all of these need help to keep them healthy. Bracknell Forest Council is protecting and conserving the environment and is working together with Parish and Town Councils, landowners and conservation groups, to develop a "Biodiversity Action Plan" to provide a little extra support to the rarer wildlife species in the area.
The additional help YOU can provide is enormous. This is why Bracknell Forest Council has joined forces with , the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), to show you how you can make the difference.
There are all sorts of ways you can make a difference and help nature flourish in the Bracknell area. It doesn’t matter how much or how little time you have to spare, conservation volunteering is a practical way for you to protect the environment you care about.
You might like to help to create new wildlife features, such as woodlands and hedgerows, or manage established areas to keep them healthy, for example by clearing ponds of choking weeds. Alternatively, you might like to act to protect one of the species highlighted in the Borough’s Biodiversity Action Plan, such as the Skylark or Water vole, by joining one of the many projects dedicated to helping these creatures.
Other important activities with which you could help focus on improving people’s enjoyment of the countryside, including building and managing footpaths and footbridges.
You can even help without going outdoors! Many conservation groups are grateful for a helping hand in office administration, running publicity stalls, raising funds and organising events.
Your involvement will not only improve the environment but you can benefit too.
Practical conservation is an excellent way of getting fit and feeling good physically. Also, you can meet new people and even develop new skills. In today’s job market, volunteering is becoming an increasingly valuable stepping stone to a future career.
All you need to do is to contact one of the many local conservation groups in the Bracknell area for details of their programme of activities and how you can get involved.
Berkshire BTCV also frequently runs day and residential conservation projects in the Bracknell area. Details of these and a copy of the quarterly newsletter can be obtained from BTCV’s Berkshire office.
You may also be interested in becoming one of our Voluntary Rangers or Path Wardens. Bracknell Forest Council Voluntary Rangers help to look after the countryside areas of Bracknell by patrolling our conservation sites, undertaking a number of practical conservation management tasks and helping with interpretative events and nature fun days for children. Our Path Wardens play an important role in ensuring the Borough’s network of footpaths is maintained by regularly inspecting footpaths for problems or damage. For more details of either of these please contact Parks & Countryside using the details provided on the right.
The Blackwater Valley is maintained as open countryside and boasts a great variety of wildlife habitats. Volunteers play an important part role in helping us with our essential conservation work and the group meets every Tuesday to carry out conservation work on a wide variety of sites within the Valley. For further information contact: Tim Mockridge on 01252 331353.
All you need is some working clothes, wellies, a packed lunch and lots of enthusiasm! Tea and biscuits are always in steady supply!
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)
BTCV is a unique charity which, for nearly 40 years, has provided opportunities, support and expert advice to link people to their natural environment through practical conservation activities. It is at the heart of a growing national and international movement of people who care passionately enough about the environment to take practical action to protect it.
BTCV is helping to bring action for the environment in the Bracknell area by:
- Supporting local conservation groups and schools.
- Establishing new community conservation groups.
- Creating local opportunities for volunteers through a programme of day and residential projects on a range of sites in the Bracknell Forest area.
- Providing a training programme in conservation skills for local volunteers and voluntary rangers in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council.
| BTCV Suite 2 16 Bridge Street Caversham Reading RG4 8AA | Tel: 0118 9475049 Web: www.btcv.org |
Hedge & Woodland Conservationists (HAWCs)
HAWCs is a small group of local enthusiasts who meet regularly throughout the winter months to coppice woodland and lay hedges, primarily in the Bracknell and Wokingham area. It is an autonomous, self-funding group affiliated to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and to the British Hedgelaying Society.
HAWCs aims are to:
- Keep the ancient crafts of hedgelaying and coppicing alive.
- Conserve and maintain hedgerows, woodlands, and rights of way for the benefit of the public and the wildlife which depends on them.
- Educate the public in the principles and practice of nature conservation.
All new volunteers and interested parties are welcome. The group meets twice a month on alternate Saturdays from September to March.
If you have a hedge that needs laying or would like further information, contact Valerie Batt-Rawden on tel. 01344 455909 or email valerie.br@btinternet.com
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