Coronavirus update

My Wild City - Coombe Brook Valley

(c) Nick Turner

Coronavirus update

How we're responding to the Coronavirus measures

In the light of the latest Government advice on Coronavirus, we want to let you know about the measures we are taking and how these may affect you when visiting and contacting Avon Wildlife Trust.

We are currently reviewing volunteering opportunities and events as and when the guidance changes. We've had to cancel most of our activities, however where possible we have started to take some of our events online during lockdown so that you can continue to learn about the nature and wildlife on your doorstep with our fabulous team.

We hope to get the rest of our activities up and running when Government advice changes, but please keep an eye on our website and our social media channels. You can check our events page to see the latest situation and which events are now offered online.

Coronavirus Appeal

The global pandemic threatens the safety of Avon's wildlife. Can you help secure nature's future in Avon?
£

Visiting our nature reserves

Our nature reserves are open and can be wonderful places to exercise and unwind, enjoy the sights and sounds of winter wildlife, get fresh air, headspace and exercise, and be away from crowds. Please be mindful to follow the latest guidance. 

Our Folly Farm, Prior's Wood and Browne's Folly reserves have been receiving a high footfall and a number of cyclists. To ensure you enjoy the outdoors in a way that keeps you and others safe, we ask you take extra precautions to maintain safe distance to others and to be mindful of local residents by not parking in the nearby villages. We ask people to please visit in a respectful way that keeps the site & local residents safe. This includes taking your rubbish with you & not parking on Prospect Place Lane or the Farleigh Rise residential road. When visiting Willsbridge Valley, please park in the car park instead of parking in Burney Way. Please also observe our rules regarding dogs as they are not permitted on many of our reserves, including Folly Farm and leave gates on reserves with livestock closed - you can find out more about each our reserves here. If you do have an urgent enquiry please email mail@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

The continuing impact of Coronavirus and the restrictions it is placing on organisations and individuals means we needed to shut down most of our operations during the spring.  From March until August, we operated with a minimal staff team with the majority of our staff furloughed and not working during this period. Like all charities, we are facing a difficult financial situation. The way we work as an organisation has been challenged and we've had to make some hard decisions, including reducing our staff team by 20%, resulting in redundancies and the loss of some talented and passionate people to ensure that we can continue our front line conservation work. Please considering donating today to help us continue to champion local wildlife. 

We look forward to being up and running and working with our members, supporters and partners as quickly as possible to continue restoring nature across our region and inspiring people of all ages to enjoy and protect the wonderful wildlife around us. In the meantime, why not subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch with our team and to get uplifting nature news straight to your inbox.

This is a difficult time for everyone, and we hope that you can find some moments in nature to help your wellbeing. We’ll keep bringing you some of the highlights of nature via our social media channels and emails to keep your spirits lifted. Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at our events and volunteering sessions later on.

Coronavirus Appeal

Together, we can fight to bring wildlife back across Avon. Can you help us continue to be there for local nature?
£

Continuing your support for wildlife

During this difficult time, we are thinking of new ways that members and supporters can continue to give and support Avon Wildlife Trust without costing themselves anything more. As everything is inevitably shifting online, we’ve put together a list of ways you can help us to continue creating spaces for nature and wildlife from the comfort of your own home:

  • Many of us are looking to nature for support once again. As winter approaches, now's the time to appreciate being able to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets and walks with crisp leaves underfoot. Together, we can make the most of our daily exercise through the Big Wild Walk challenge. Maybe you could walk the same distance as a hedgehog every day? Or perhaps you want to take on a migration challenge? Whatever you choose, it's important to get out into nature as much as you can. What's more, if you set yourself a fundraising target, the money you raise will go towards helping nature's recovery in Avon. Sign up here. 
     
  • Give as You Live, easyfundraising and Giving Machine are all ways you can raise money for Avon Wildlife Trust while doing your online shopping. Choose one to sign up to, download their donation reminder and continue shopping as you usually would. Whenever there’s a donation to be had, the donation reminder will let you know and you can claim that donation for wildlife.
     
  • Amazon Smile is Amazon’s own website for raising money for charity when you shop. Simply sign up, create a bookmark and always shop through Amazon Smile to raise money through your Amazon orders.
     
  • Dontsendmeacard will help you celebrate any special occasion with your loved ones, even from a distance. You can send and personalise ecards while also donating the amount you would have spent on postage to Avon’s wildlife.  Â