On June 25th, Helen Atkinson from our UK office spent a day volunteering for BBONT (her local Nature Trust). The trust is dedicated to protecting wildlife and maintaining local landscapes across three UK counties. They also inspire local children to discover the joys of the natural world. One of BBONT’s protected nature reserves is just 2 miles from Helen’s house. It contains a number of different wildlife habitats, including woodland, wildflower meadows and the increasingly reduced fen habitat. It’s also an important refuge for migrating birds flying to/from Africa.
Helen spent the morning clearing land of ragwort plants which is poisonous to a number of animals. It was hard work, but afterwards the volunteering team were given access to a private area of fen where stunning wild orchids are being protected.
After a lunch sat in the sunshine (a rare occasion for the UK!), Helen was asked to assist with a butterfly survey. The survey is important to the trust for monitoring the number and diversity of butterflies in the area, a species which is unfortunately in constant decline due to the loss of their natural environment.
It was a tiring but rewarding day, and good to see so many visitors enjoying their time at the reserve.
[By Helen Atkinson]
Nice work Helen, gettin down and dirty for the environment! What a difference you made!