 www.davekilbeyphotography.co_.uk2_.jpg "Dave Kilbey")
Dave Kilbey
We have lots of exciting projects that need your support, here are just a few:
Cotswold River Project - Help save The water vole
Recent surveys undertaken by us have shown a dramatic reduction in water vole populations in Gloucestershire. From the surveys carried out in 1978/89 and then 1997/98, there has been a staggering 83% decline in Gloucestershire alone.
Sadly in some counties water voles have become extinct or seen a staggering 90% drop. If ever there was a time to save this endearing and much loved character from our wonderful Cotswold Rivers it is now.
Vell Mill orchard creation
We are currently seeking funding to create a community orchard at Vell Mill Nature Reserve near Dymock in the Forest of Dean. This is an area traditionally noted for its orchards, which are now sadly in decline.
The creation of a new orchard, with support from local people and volunteers, will improve the variety of wildlife at the reserve, as well as helping to preserve rare local varieties of plum, apple and pear.
It will also provide a focus for future community events, to inspire local people to grow and maintain disappearing varieties, and help them to understand and enjoy the wildlife on their doorstep. For full project details see below for project sheet.
Bats at Greystones Farm nature reserve
Greystones Farm nature reserve, in Bourton on the Water in the North Cotswolds has traditionally supported thriving populations of a number of bat species. However, recent changes in management are now threatening their traditional roosting sites.
We are keen to offset these changes through a programme of constructing and installing a range of bat boxes, with the support of volunteers who will continue to monitor their usage. For full project details see below for project sheet.
Lower Woods sustainable fuels
Together with Natural England we have agreed a new management plan for our Lower Woods Nature Reserve, to maintain its condition and provide thriving habitat for the wide arrange of flora and fauna that call the woodland home.
In order to achieve this management we urgently need to build our capacity to fell and extract wood to ensure that clearings are opened, enabling light to reach the woodland floor and encourage under-storey growth.
As part of this mangement we have recently established an economically and environmentally sustainable firewood business at Lower Woods Nature Reserve.
As well as servicing a local need for firewood and developing an outlet for the additional wood removed, this project will ultimately generate a small profit which will be re-invested into the woodland to ensure that we can continue to manage the habitat effectively for wildlife. For full project details see below for project sheet.
Annual Primary Schools' Quiz
Every year we host the Primary Schools Quiz, a very successful and well loved event, which over the years has increased hundreds of children’s love of the natural world.
From 6 initial schools, every year approximately 100 schools now take part, (a staggering 40% of all Primary schools in the County), showing that even under curriculum pressures teachers, parents and children still value eduating our children about wildlife as highly as other school extramural activities. For full project details see below for project sheet.
Water voles on The Cotswold Rivers: Habitat improvements at Sherborne Water Meadows
Our Cotswold Rivers Project is an ambitious landscape-scale project, designed to ensure the recovery of water vole populations throughout a wide region of Gloucestershire.
Through a programme of surveying, habitat restoration and recreation and mink control we will halt the decline of water vole numbers and provide ideal conditions for water voles to thrive. Restoring healthy river systems will also benefit a number of other species including otters, white clawed crayfish, water shrew, kingfishers, barn owls and dippers. For full project details see below for project sheet.
Events programme
We currently hold over 150 events throughout Gloucestershire for our 26,000 members and the general public. Our events are available for all to attend and 95% are free of charge.
Our events programme includes events for children - (mad march hare day, canoe safaris, badger watches), learning new skills - (hedgelaying, drystone walling, bushcraft) and wild events (mammal tracking, nature reserve tour, bird ringing) to name a few.
We produce 2 events leaflets a year which is distributed to all our 26,000 and tourist hotspots, surgeries, libraries and museums around Gloucestershire.
To find out how you can sponsor our events programme please contact Lynn Toon
or call 01452 383333
There's more...
- Volunteering programme
- Schools and Education programme including educational materials at Robinswood Hill
- Publications and interpretation materials for nature reserves
- Continuation of our Severn Vale Living Landscape programme
- Phase 1 surveying for the whole of Gloucestershire
- Community Officers work in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Cotswolds
- Wildlife Gardening promotional materials for Gloucestershire
- Badger vaccination programme
- Key Wildlife Sites programme
- Gloucestershire orchard creation
Contact us
If you would like any additional information about a proposed project to support or any other aspect of our work contact Lynn Toon
Or call 01452 383333
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Greystone Farm Bats 15 Sept 2011.doc | 69.5 KB |
| Lower Woods Fuel Project 15 Sept 2011.doc | 1.94 MB |
| Schools Quiz 15 Sept 2011.doc | 76.5 KB |
| Sherborne Water Vole 15 Sept 2011.doc | 399.5 KB |
| Vell Mill Orchard Creation 15 Sept 2011.doc | 956.5 KB |