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Volunteering with the Low Barns Volunteer Task Force

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Volunteering with the Low Barns Volunteer Task Force HedleyhopeHerald Durham Wildlife Trust’s News from Hedleyhope Fell DURHAM Spring 2010 Issue 10: VOLUNTEERING SPECIAL Volunteering on Our Volunteer Hedleyhope Fell Task Force has... ● Planted a 700m hedge (over 4000 trees) Back in February 2005 Durham Wildlife Trust employed a reserve ● Controlled 2ha of bracken offi cer to work with local people and local farmers to ensure ● Removed over 100 tonnes of Hedleyhope Fell was an important place for both wildlife and people. rubbish ● Planted 1500 trees at Hedley Hill An enormous amount of work has been The team of volunteers now known as ● Installed 10 footbridges achieved in that time for local people and the Low Barns Volunteer Task Force ● Removed several miles of visitors, including improved access, two has carried out habitat management unwanted fence visitor car parks and information panels. for wildlife and continue to upgrade ● Installed 100m of plastic piling and maintain access for people. Equally an enormous amount of work Go to www.lowbarns.co.uk to fi nd has been carried out for wildlife such The Task Force now manages eleven out what the Low Barns Volunteer as the erection of several miles of nature reserves in West Durham and Task Force has been up to. fencing to ensure effective grazing is out 4-5 days per week, including two management is undertaken. Saturdays every month! The number of For more information on days given by volunteers is staggering Whilst the bigger jobs on the Fell were and has grown at an impressive rate volunteering then please contact carried out by contractors there has over the last fi ve years. Emma Pearson on 01388 488728 been a remarkable amount of work or [email protected] carried out by local people – volunteers! Craig Best, Reserves Offi cer (West Durham) The team of volunteers now known2155 as 1720 1359 1021 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER DAYS 249 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE There’s nothing better! There is possibly nothing better than getting up on a morning, pulling on your sturdy boots and heading off to do a little practical Peter working on the steps Kelly and Joe on juniper maintenance Peter cuts down a small tree Thanks to our volunteers, footpaths The maintenance of juniper is vital as We are removing small trees so that conservation work. The Low Barns Volunteer Task Force spends 4-5 across the Fell are much improved. they are slow growing and weeds the Fell remains an open habitat. days a week doing just that. would otherwise smother them. Yes, you go home at night feeling tired and could eat like a horse, but the sense of achievement you get after fi nishing planting a 700m hedge, or cutting and raking a meadow, is immense. What Helen Halliday, Volunteer Reserves Offi cer volunteering Emma cooling off in the summer! Access works on Hedleyhope Fell Taking a rest while litter picking means to me There’s even time for a little fun too. The team is constantly working to The Task Force deal with fl y tipping improve access for visitors by laying and litter left or blown across the Fell. by Lisa Mardula and repairing pathways. Whilst travelling in Africa, I had the privilege of a close encounter with a male lion on safari. Whilst holding eye to eye contact with the lion I had one resounding thought, “It’s only ‘man’ who’s messed the planet up!” The lion gave me a knowing look and seemingly nodded in his own way. It was since that moment I really thought of us as ‘keepers’ of Heather planting Bracken control the planet for generations to come. When we have removed large areas We bash the bracken to control its of gorse on the Fell we need to replant spread so that other species of plants I like to contribute something in a with heather. can thrive. small positive way, especially as part of a diverse team. Within the team comes like-minded people with specialist knowledge, wisdom and love; whilst working in a beautiful environment. I enjoy being able to contribute as well as learn. Volunteering for the Trust has helped me stabilise a severe health condition, increase Fireside chats Rush cutting and raking my self confi dence, self esteem and We often have fi res when there is no This work encourages violet growth motivation, as well as working along available space to build brash piles for the small pearl-bordered fritillary for wildlife habitats safely. butterfl y caterpillar to feed on. side professionals I never thought I’d have the opportunity to meet. Want to know more? Sometimes it can be diffi cult trying To fi nd out about what the Low Barns Volunteer Task Force has been up to, or for something for the fi rst time but I information on volunteering, please contact Emma Pearson on 01388 488728 or would encourage everyone who’s [email protected] or visit: thinking about it to give it a go. Volunteers planting a hedgerow www.lowbarns.co.uk PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE Volunteering with the Low Barns Volunteer Task Force We removed conifers from a plantation on the Fell and replaced them with native species such as oak, ash and rowan. Becky on a boat at Low Barns Durham Wildlife Trust relies almost entirely on volunteers to help manage our reserves. Without the support of our Volunteer Task We have created wet areas for violets Force the majority of management works required could simply to fl ourish for the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfl y. not happen! Volunteering is a great way to learn footpath maintenance, boardwalk necessary as all training is given at the new skills, improve your CV, visit construction, meadow cutting and start of every task. beautiful areas of the County, keep fi t, raking, pond management, tree meet new people and most importantly planting and much more. If all this sounds interesting to you have fun! You will also play a big part please call Emma Pearson on 01388 in protecting your local environment Practical tasks run 4 days per week on 488728 or you can email her at and help protect our wildlife for the Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays [email protected]. future. and Fridays and we also offer a couple of Saturday tasks per month. We Alternatively, visit www.lowbarns. Tasks are varied and include tree do not require a time commitment co.uk to learn more about the Task felling, scrub control, coppicing, from you and no prior experience is Force. Location map and contacts: Lanchester Craig Best, Reserves Offi cer (West Durham) Durham Wildlife Trust, Low Barns Nature Reserve, Hedleyhope A68 Fell Cornsay Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 0AG. Durham Colliery Tel: 01388 488728 Email: [email protected]. For further B6301 Tow Law DURHAM information on volunteering visit www.lowbarns.co.uk Charity No: 501038 Durham Wildlife Trust aims to conserve wildlife and to promote A1M Crook conservation within the County of Durham, City of Sunderland A167 and the Boroughs of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Darlington. For further information visit www.durhamwt.co.uk PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE.
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