Our blog & news: Get involved to help wildlife

 
 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 
Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
 


Search Take Action for Wildlife Conservation
 


 RSS Feed

» Listings for January 2024

  1. Update on the Burley Lane Wood Appeal, Derbyshire -

    Posted on

    UPDATE ON FRIDAY 26 January 2024:
    Unfortunately the Just Giving page shows that the bid has been rejected by the seller.  We can all only hope and pray that whoever has bought the land will consider wildlife and the benefits the area brings to everyone.  Information about obtaining a refund if you've donated is available here.

    UPDATE ON Thursday 25 January 2024:  The bid has gone in and the fundraisers say it is a realistic bid.  They also ask that we keep donating if we can to make sure the funds are there if they are selected as the preferred bidder.

    Now, more on the appeal:

    The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have been in touch with supporters about a very urgent appeal that a group of community re-wilders in Allestree have for a crucial wildlife habitat called Burley Lane Wood in Derbyshire.

    It’s a small site but the largest urban re-wildling project in the UK.  Birds, bats, small mammals and invertebrates call it home.   It connects Allestree Park and a village, and the aim is to secure the land so that it can stay undisturbed for nature.

    Please help Save Burley Lane WoodPlease help Save Burley Lane Wood

    The wood is up for sale – and the danger is that if it gets into the wrong hands, it could become a development site – so the community group want to buy it, protect it for nature and make sure that future generations can enjoy it.   

    Additional potential donors/lenders are also being followed up. 

    Please support the Burley Lane Wood Appeal if you can and help wildlife keep their home.  They are looking to raise £80,000 by 10am on Wednesday 24 January 2024 - every bit helps.  You can see what a tight dealine this is, so please  help by spreading the word and encouraging everyone to donate.  

    Please donate here through the Appeal's Just Giving page.

    Thank you.

  2. Join the Army of People who Knit, Sew and Crochet for Animals

    Posted on

    If you can sew, or knit or crochet, then a number of animal charities would welcome your help!

    You'll find a short list of them at AnimalsCharities.co.uk.  The page is called Knitting for Charities but there will be other things you can do to help as well - crochet, sewing - it's just a matter of exploring their information to see what help the charities need. 

    People all over the world are knitting, sewing and crocheting for animals...My Auntie Susan used to knit blankets for the cats at the local rescue close to where she lived in New Zealand, which is what gave me the idea for the Knitting for Charities page.  It's a great way to do something purposeful in those long winter months!

     

  3. Winterwatch 2024 is back

    Posted on

    Winterwatch is back!

    It starts on Tuesday, 16th January 2024 at 8pm on BBC2, and Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams kick off at RSPB Arne in Dorset, and live cameras are ready to capture foxes, badgers, perhaps a white-tailed eagle!

    Iolo goes to Brownsea Island to introduce us to waders flocking for the winter – and Gillian Burke is exploring the beautiful Orkney islands!

    There are lots of ways to help wildlife this winter, and the programme’s website has plenty of ideas for us all – if we can do just one thing each, that will help.  The ideas cover a range of species in different locations, volunteering, taking action at home, doing wildlife surveys, and getting involved in your community.


    Join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2024Join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2024
    from 26th to 28th January 2024 - 
    just choose an hour, watch the birds in your garden or local park,
    and let the RSPB know your findings!
    Find out more and sign up here.

    Visit the programme’s website on BBC here.

    Why not join your local Wildlife Trust – there are 46 of them around the UK, all making a difference to wildlife and you can find your local one here.  It will also have lots of information about what the Trust in your area is doing and what you can do to get involved.  

    There are lots of other UK conservation charities you can also help here.

    The programme is on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8pm.

  4. New Forest: A Year in the Wild Wood is on BBC4, Sunday 14th Jan 2024 at 8pm

    Posted on

     

    Tonight on BBC4, there’s New Forest -  A Year in The Wild Wood at 8pm. 

    The programme explores the lives of people and wildlife who live in this stunning part of England.  Some of England’s rarest wildlife can be found here, such as the sand lizard.

    Writer and environmentalist Peter Owen-Jones presents the programme, immersing himself into the lives of the Commoners.  They’re a group of 700 people who have retained grazing rights for their animals, dating back to Medieval times.

    The New Forest National Park covers 566 square kilometres, with ancient forest, wild heathlands, and acid bog, all down to the open sea. 

    The New Forest became a National Park back in 2005, and it’s one of the largest remaining tracts of pasture land that’s unenclosed, heathland and forest in the south of England.  Forestry England points out that it’s

    • a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI)
    • a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds
    • a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
    • a Ramsar site (listed as a Wetland of International Importance).

    It’s also a chance to raise awareness of ways you can help with the conservation of this stunning area.

    Find out about the history of the New Forest from the National Trust
    Find out about the history of the New Forest from the National Trust
    Image ©National Trust images/John Miller

    Useful resources for you:

    For the programme’s website, visit the BBC

    Forestry England has lots of information about the New Forest and its importance – it’s home to many rare species of plants and wildlife, and has the highest possible conservation status.  

    The New Forest National Park which has information on volunteering, things to do, wildlife and conservation.  The wildlife include bats, wading birds, dragonflies and damselflies, heathland birds, deer, reptiles, spiders, moths, butterflies and beetles.  

    The wonderful New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society works to preserve the New Forest Pony breed.  

    The New Forest Trust which works “to preserve, sustain and enhance the unique beauty and conservation value of the New Forest for future generations”.  Are you a business?  Why not join the Love the Forest Scheme and give the Trust your support?

    New Forest Area Conservation Volunteers – get stuck in and lend a hand!

    Pondhead Conservation - this is a small, multi-award winning community woodland project near Lyndhurst aiming to restore the hazel coppice, woodland understorey and ride (track) network of Pondhead Inclosure, thereby improving its biodiversity and enhancing public enjoyment of the area

    Walking in the New Forest - 30 Walks in the New Forest National Park
    Walking in the New Forest - 30 Walks in the New Forest National Park
    by Steve Davison
    available from Foyles

    Friends of the New Forest is dedicated to protecting and restoring the unique character of the New Forest.  It’s a member-based association which gives its members an effective voice on a range of New Forest issues.

    The National Trust has lots of information on the New Forest, including its history