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Join us on Sundays and/or Wednesdays for fresh air and fun carrying out essential practical conservation work on the Trust's nature reserves.
Please note that the Wednesday group has become incredibly popular in the last few months, and due to health & safety and logistics we have to limit the maximum number to 20 people. Therefore please come 15-20 minutes before the group leaves on Wednesday to put your name on the sign-in sheet to "book" your place.
How do I get involved ? Just turn up - no pre-booking is needed (unless it is stated on the task programme as a bookable session). Come early on your first session so that the volunteer leader can take your details and brief you.
Where? Meet in the Courtyard next to our office at 32 Jacobs Wells Road, Bristol (near to QEH school) on Wednesday and/or Sunday at 9.50am for 10am departure (transport provided for up to 20 people so first come first seated!). Normally the group aim to get back between 4-4.30pm.
What? Work is seasonal - in the spring/summer the work is drystone walling, stock fencing, path maintenance, hide repair and grass cutting. In the autumn/winter we turn our hands to hedge-laying, coppicing, bramble bashing, and small tree felling.
How? Tasks are carried out using hand tools, and occasionally power tools. All training on how to carry out the task is given.
What do I need to bring? a packed lunch - we provide drinks and biscuits. Wear suitable clothing (winter - warm clothing, waterproof trousers and coat; and summer - light trousers, waterproof trousers and coat, a hat and sun protection) and sturdy footwear (preferably steel toe capped boots or wellington's). Make sure you have an up to date tetanus vaccination.
Is there an age limit? Anyone over the age of 14 is welcome to join the Wildlife Action Group, and is covered by the Trusts Employer Liability Insurance.
For further details about the Wildlife Action Group contact Sarah van der Meer (Reserves Officer) or phone 0117 9177277.
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| Short-eared owl (Pete Evans) |
Enjoying a well deserved tea break |
Curlew in flight (Pete Blanchard) |
WAG Programme
Available as a PDF download, and also listed below.
Download the January to March programme (PDF)
Wednesdays
(Arrive 9.45am, Depart 10am)
February
1st Dolebury Warren (ST 455 589)
The views from the hillfort are lovely and inspirational whilst removing scrub trees from the heathland area. Fire.
8th Weston Big Wood (ST 455 750)
Bramble cutting in one of the coupes at this lovely woodland, which is beautiful in the spring with the flush of new growth.
15th Lower Woods (ST 404 573)
Coppicing hazel and other trees will have great benefit to the woodland and its associated species at this great reserve.
22nd Folly Farm (ST 607 604)
Last session of hedgelaying, so get your billhooks, bowsaws and stakes at the ready! Fire.
29th Burledge Hill (ST 588 589)
Scrub removal to promote the expansion of the species rich grassland and improve the site for the grasslands associated wildlife. Fire.
March
7th Walton Common (ST 428 737)
Final chance before spring to open up the grassland by removing scrub bushes and brambles. Fire.
14th Dolebury Warren (ST 455 589)
Help remove small stunted scrub trees in the heathlands at this elevated, wildlife rich reserve. Fire
21st Burledge Hill (ST 588 589)
Access improvement is today's task. Help us to improve the muddy trails by laying aggregate and building more steps. Fire.
28th Prior's Wood (ST 782 670)
Channels & paths have been cut into the dense rhododendron cover at this ancient woodland. Let's continue to open up areas to allow natural regeneration by native plants. Fire.
Please note: The Trust can supply transport for up to 20 people per task.
Download the January to March programme (PDF)
Sundays
(Arrive 9.45am, Depart 10am)
February
5th Burledge Hill (ST 588 589)
Let's continue to push back the encroaching brambles and reclaim the grassland in the Humpy Tumps areas of the site. Fire.
12th Chew Valley Lake (ST 782 670)
Cutting sapling alder trees & clearing the bund around the bittern pool are today's task.
19th Stockwood Open Space (ST 625 691)
The smaller wildflower meadows have become less accessible for people and wildlife. Cutting back scrub will reconnect these flower rich areas.
26th Hellenge Hill (ST 344 573)
The views from the hillside over the Somerset Levels are fantastic. Enjoy them whilst pushing back scrub in the woodland gully.
March
4th Dolebury Warren (ST 455 589)
The group will remove scrub from the medieval "pillow mounds", where our forbearers used to keep rabbits for their fur and as food.
11th Prior's Wood (ST 782 670)
Rhododendron bashing today! This is part of continuing work to clear and treat the introduced species and to allow native species to regenerate. Fire.
18th Goblin Combe (ST 782 670)
Cutting some more of the sapling trees within the grassland area today.
25th Burledge Hill (ST 588 589)
The work of WAG, the Friday Group and the Folly Farm Volunteers have improved the footpaths enormously. Let's continue to make visiting this reserve easier by building steps, adding aggregate onto walkways and more. Fire.
Please Note: The Trust can supply transport for up to 20 people per task.
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