Wild Cornwall - Issue No.84

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

With an ever-increasing area of land to look after, one of the areas in which the Trust relies most heavily on volunteers is in the management of its nature reserves. Much of the work undertaken on the reserves is very labour intensive, and simply would not be possible without the input of hundreds of volunteer days each year. If you would like to get involved with the management of the Trust's nature reserves there are several ways you can do it.

· Some of the reserves work is carried out by small teams of long-term volunteers and trainees working alongside staff based at Five Acres and at Cabilla and Redrice Woods. If you are interested in pursuing a career in conservation, or regularly have days during the week when you could volunteer, you may be able to receive some formal or informal training through the Trust.

· There are often opportunities for volunteers to

work with staff during the week on a more casual basis. If you have the odd day to spare, you could contact us to see if we're working in your area.

· If you are unable to volunteer during the week, there are regular tasks organised on Sundays in which you could take part. Details are available in the PARC (Practical Action on Reserves in Cornwall) programme which is produced three times a year. (See also the list of dates below.)

· Most of the Trust's nature reserves also have one or more voluntary wardens who have a large input into the management of their local reserve. This can include keeping an eye on the reserve and informing the relevant people of any significant problems, carrying out practical management and monitoring work, and even organising their own teams of volunteers to look after the reserve.

· If you have a specialist interest in any area, or particular skills that you think may be useful to the Trust, we would be pleased to hear from you. However,

much of the work that needs to be done is suitable for those with little or no previous experience. For example, volunteers often carry out monitoring of butterflies, vegetation, water levels, birds or mammals on Trust reserves. This can usually be done using very simple techniques, with only a short introduction from a member of staff or another experienced volunteer.

Obviously not everyone is able to give up their time to volunteer, but if every member of the Trust committed themself to volunteering to help the work of the Trust for just one day each year it really would make an enormous difference.

If you would like to volunteer to help with nature reserves work, please call me at Five Acres on (01872) 240777 ext 209, or mobile 07971 542185, or leave a message with your name and contact details.

Volunteers making wildlife accessible to people at Nansmellyn Marsh in Perranporth. Can you spare a day?

Photo: Gavin Henderson

FORTHCOMING PARC DATES

Further details of meeting times and places, and information on the specific tasks, will be given in a separate leaflet which will be available towards the end of January 2001. If you would like to be on the mailing list for this leaflet, please send us your name and address.

Lower Lewdon, near Bude

Cabilla and Redrice Woods

25th February Armstrong Wood, south of Launceston*

11th March Devichoys Wood at Perranarworthal

Cabilla and Redrice Woods

25th March Pendarves Wood, near Camborne*

Cabilla and Redrice Woods

Upton Towans, near Hayle

Cabilla and Redrice Woods

*These tasks will include activities suitable for children accompanied by their parents.

Volunteers making wildlife accessible to people at Nansmellyn Marsh in Perranporth. Can you spare a day? Photo: Gavin Henderson		FORTHCOMING PARC DATES Further details of meeting times and places, and information on the specific tasks, will be given in a separate leaflet which will be available towards the end of January 2001. If you would like to be on the mailing list for this leaflet, please send us your name and address. 11th February Lower Lewdon, near Bude 18th February Cabilla and Redrice Woods 25th February Armstrong Wood, south of Launceston* 11th March Devichoys Wood at Perranarworthal 18th March Cabilla and Redrice Woods		25th March Pendarves Wood, near Camborne* 8th April Five Acres* 22nd April Cabilla and Redrice Woods 29th April Red Moor 13th May Upton Towans, near Hayle 20th May Cabilla and Redrice Woods *These tasks will include activities suitable for children accompanied by their parents.
Wild Cornwall - Issue No.84 - Spring 2001

*VOLUNTEERING ON RESERVES*
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES With an ever-increasing area of land to look after, one of the areas in which the Trust relies most heavily on volunteers is in the management of its nature reserves. Much of the work undertaken on the reserves is very labour intensive, and simply would not be possible without the input of hundreds of volunteer days each year. If you would like to get involved with the management of the Trust's nature reserves there are several ways you can do it. · Some of the reserves work is carried out by small teams of long-term volunteers and trainees working alongside staff based at Five Acres and at Cabilla and Redrice Woods. If you are interested in pursuing a career in conservation, or regularly have days during the week when you could volunteer, you may be able to receive some formal or informal training through the Trust. · There are often opportunities for volunteers to		work with staff during the week on a more casual basis. If you have the odd day to spare, you could contact us to see if we're working in your area. · If you are unable to volunteer during the week, there are regular tasks organised on Sundays in which you could take part. Details are available in the PARC (Practical Action on Reserves in Cornwall) programme which is produced three times a year. (See also the list of dates below.) · Most of the Trust's nature reserves also have one or more voluntary wardens who have a large input into the management of their local reserve. This can include keeping an eye on the reserve and informing the relevant people of any significant problems, carrying out practical management and monitoring work, and even organising their own teams of volunteers to look after the reserve. · If you have a specialist interest in any area, or particular skills that you think may be useful to the Trust, we would be pleased to hear from you. However,		much of the work that needs to be done is suitable for those with little or no previous experience. For example, volunteers often carry out monitoring of butterflies, vegetation, water levels, birds or mammals on Trust reserves. This can usually be done using very simple techniques, with only a short introduction from a member of staff or another experienced volunteer. Obviously not everyone is able to give up their time to volunteer, but if every member of the Trust committed themself to volunteering to help the work of the Trust for just one day each year it really would make an enormous difference. If you would like to volunteer to help with nature reserves work, please call me at Five Acres on (01872) 240777 ext 209, or mobile 07971 542185, or leave a message with your name and contact details. Gavin Henderson