Volunteering out and about
There are so many ways to get involved by using your existing abilities and experience or learning new skills, at a variety of locations and to suit the time you have available. Reserve Work Parties and volunteering at our HQ or centres appear elsewhere on the site. The volunteer opportunities in the rest of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are included here - divided into the North of the county, the Itchen Navigation, the New Forest and elsewhere.
Full details of our programme of wildlife reserve work parties, guided walks and interesting talks are available from our Diary of Events. In addition various new volunteer projects and opportunities are arising all the time. We depend on volunteer effort to achieve our aims - join in and make it all happen.
Donna Birch, Volunteering Development Manager, DonnaB@hwt.org.uk or 01489 774442
North of Hampshire
LODDON AND EVERSLEY MINK MONITORING. The role will involve checking mink rafts with another volunteer or member of staff and identifying footprints and signs. The purpose is to check for signs of mink on stretches of waterway known to have water voles. Ideally you will be able to volunteer for one day a week although one day a fortnight would be acceptable. For more information contact Amanda Bassett, Loddon and Eversley Heritage Area Project Officer on 01256 381186 or email amandab@hwt.org.uk
Itchen Navigation Volunteer Opportunities
ARTS EVENT HELPERS - We are running arts workshops and public events to get local people involved in the Itchen Navigation project. A series of public events will take place until September 2010. For further details please contact Polly Whyte on 01489 774400 or pollyw@hwt.org.uk
New Forest
HIMALAYAN BALSAM PULLING - several work parties have been arranged in June 2010. For details, contact Catherine Chatters, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, 023 8042 4205 (mobile 07770 923315) catherinec@hwt.org.uk
Thursday 10th June, 2010 - Come and help to pull up Himalayan balsam near Acres Down in the New Forest with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's Romsey Area Group. Meet at 10am in the farmyard to the south of Robins Bush Farm on the western side of the minor road leading towards Acres Down at grid reference SU 271 102. Cars can be parked in the farmyard. Please wear suitable footwear (wellingtons or boots) and bring a sun hat and sun protection cream (if it is likely to be a warm day), gardening gloves, a picnic and plenty to drink. It is advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
Tuesday 15th June, 2010 - Come and help members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's Flora Group and Plantlife members battle to eradicate the highly invasive Himalayan balsam from the bank of the Lymington River Site of Special Scientific Interest. This beautiful river in the New Forest is being threatened by the balsam plants whose explosive seed pods shoot out their seeds which can fall in to the river to be carried downstream and germinate to create problems elsewhere. Luckily the plants can be pulled up easily in June before the formation of seed pods. Meet at 10am at Bridge Farm, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7TR. The entrance to the farm is at grid reference SU 303 029 on the eastern side of the Lyndhurst Road (A337) south of the turning into Balmer Lawn Road. Please bring gardening gloves, a packed lunch and plenty to drink. It is advisable to wear a long-sleeved shirt and trousers. Please wear sturdy boots or shoes. If it is a sunny day, please bring a sun hat and sun protection cream.
Wednesday 16th June, 2010 - Come and help members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's Flora Group and Plantlife members in the battle to eradicate the highly invasive Himalayan balsam from the banks of the Lymington River Site of Special Scientific Interest. We'll also be joined by members of the Brockenhurst Manor Fly Fishing Club who fish the Lymington River. This beautiful river in the New Forest is being threatened by the balsam plants whose explosive seed pods shoot out their seeds which can then fall in to the river to be carried downstream and germinate to create problems elsewhere. Luckily the plants can be pulled up easily in June before the formation of seed pods. Meet at 10 am at Boldre Bridge, Boldre, Lymington, SO41 8PD. Boldre Bridge is at grid reference SZ 320 985. The Manager of The Red Lion pub (SO41 8NE), just to the west of Boldre Bridge, has kindly offered space for us to park in the field at the rear of the pub car park. Please bring gardening gloves, a packed lunch and plenty to drink. It is advisable to wear a long-sleeved shirt and trousers. Please wear sturdy boots or shoes. If it is a sunny day, please bring a sun hat and sun protection cream.
Sunday 20th June, 2010 - The New Forest Area Conservation Volunteers will be pulling up Himalayan balsam along the Cadnam River between 10 am - 3 pm. Meet at 10 am at Withers Farm, Cadnam Lane, Cadnam, Southampton, SO40 2NU at grid reference SU 295 145. Please wear suitable footwear (wellingtons or boots) and bring a sun hat and sun protection cream (if it is likely to be a warm day), gardening gloves, a picnic and plenty to drink. It is advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
Wednesday 7th July 2010 - Come and help the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project in the battle to stop the spread of Himalayan balsam along the Avon Water. Meet at 10am at Efford Lodge, Milford Road, Lymington, SO41 0JD. Cars can be parked at Efford Lodge. The entrance to Efford Lodge is on the northern side of the A337, to the east of Efford Bridge at grid reference SZ 307 941. We will spend the day pulling up Himalayan balsam plants along the banks of the Avon Water in the vicinity of Efford Mill and Efford Lodge. Please bring a picnic lunch and plenty to drink. It is advisable to wear a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, gardening gloves and stout shoes or boots. If it is sunny please bring a sun hat and sun protection cream.
Elsewhere in the two counties
HAYLING OYSTERBEDS WARDEN - Why not become a warden with The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust at Hayling Island Oysterbeds next summer? We are working together with Havant Borough Council to manage and warden the sea bird colony at this nature reserve. If you can spare some time, perhaps a couple of hours a week, or would like more information, please contact our seasonal warden Jason Crook. JasonC@hwt.org.uk.
ISLE OF WIGHT - We work on the Island through Wight Wildlife, a partnership with the Isle of Wight Natural History Society and the Wight Nature Fund. The Trust manages 6 wildlife sites with a wide range of volunteer opportunities on them including survey work, estate work, practical habitat management and checking on livestock.
Contact: Chris Archbold, Countryside Officer, The Forest Office, Parkhurst Forest, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5UL.
Tel: 01983 533180, email: chrisa@hwt.org.uk.
MARINE - Qualified scuba divers for underwater surveys required for Seasearch programme. Also, assistance with shoreline surveys (Shoresearch) required - some knowledge useful. Administrative support is also required - a general interest in marine issues in Hampshire and Isle of Wight is desirable.
SOUTH EAST OTTERS AND RIVERS PROJECT - Otter 'spraint' collection - early morning visits to pre-determined sites on Hampshire's chalk rivers to find and collect suitable ‘spraint' (Otter Droppings).
HISTORY PROJECTS - Dockens Water - help us plot the history of this Forest stream that runs through our Blashford Lakes Wildlife Site.
EVENT VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for volunteers to join our exciting new event team. The role will involve talking to the public about the work of the Wildlife Trust, answering questions about local wildlife and supervising a range of activities such as badge making, dragonfly making and a wildflower quiz. Full training will be given on each of the activities and the work of the Trust at an induction day planned in March 2010. For more information contact Donna Birch, Volunteering Development Manager, DonnaB@hwt.org.uk or 01489 774442
CENTRE OPENERS
We are looking for volunteers to help out at each of our education centres over the weekend. The role will involve unlocking the gates, centre and bird hides; welcoming and talking to members of the public about The Trust and wildlife/ sustainability (no expertise required but interest in wildlife desirable); serving tea and coffee, handling small amounts of money. For more information, please contact Donna Birch, Volunteering Development Manager, DonnaB@hwt.org.uk or 01489 774442
WEEKEND VOLUNTEER WARDEN - EDUCATION CENTRES - SWANWICK, BLASHFORD and TESTWOOD
Volunteers Wardens needed at weekends for each of our Education Centres. The volunteer wardens role is to be a ‘visible presence' on site and provide a friendly, approachable point of contact for visitors. Also to increase visitors' understanding and appreciation of the work carried out by the Trust. Please contact Donna Birch on 01489 774442 for more details.
