The natural world is starting to take things a bit slower as the temperature winds down, but there’s still so much we can do to help our local wildlife thrive. We can make a meaningful impact against the climate and ecological crises, and do wonders for our own mental wellbeing in the process.

What we have we been up to so far?

The goals of the Young Volunteers are very much directed by you, young people! So our sessions so far have encompassed a huge variety of activities and locations depending on what our volunteers have been keen to explore. So, what have we been up since July?

• We tried our hand at traditional grassland maintenance techniques like scything – a necessary practice to preserve our unique and fragile grassland habitats which host rare wildflowers and insects.
• We’ve brushed up on our moth and butterfly identification by setting moth traps and taking part in the Big Butterfly Count.
• We wrestled overgrown nettles and brambles to clear vegetation and litter from one our wildlife ponds at Brandon Hill, in the heart of Bristol.
• We have consumed a considerable amount of snacks and met a lovely bunch of like-minded young people.

Future sessions

What’s next? Whatever you decide! As we move through the seasons we will continue to take action for nature by doing vital conservation work at our wildlife reserves like habitat creation and management and carrying out important data collection on the species we encounter.

Do you want to improve your wildlife identification skills? Or feel like you’re doing some good for the natural world? Are there some outdoor skills you’d like to try your hand at or improve? Or do you just want to spend some time with young people who also appreciate being in nature and getting stuck in? Then we can’t wait for you to come and join our next session!

Where and when

We meet on the second Saturday of every month, usually at our incredible Grow Wilder site at 181 Frenchay Park Rd, Bristol BS16 1HB, at 10:00 – 12:00, although the precise time and location does occasionally change if there’s important work we can do at another wildlife reserve. For up-to-date details please feel free to send me a Whatsapp or text on 07917 920 747 or shoot me an email at sophie.keats@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

How to get involved

We’re proud to create a safe and inclusive space for all identities and backgrounds, and welcome everyone aged 14 – 24. You don’t need to have any experience in the great outdoors; all you need is enthusiasm (and practical footwear!). If you are under 18 we will need you to get a consent form signed by your grown up and returned to us before you start your first session; for more info please email me at sophie.keats@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Not in Bristol? Watch this space – we are working with multiple organisations in Bath and other places to extend our reach to other areas in the region.

There may be an existing volunteer group you can join, find out more here

Thank you #PostcodeLotteryPeople for all your continued support. We couldn’t do it without you.