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Greenlink Berkshire
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The network of community
groups committed to the care of the environment, greener living and
development of the local economy in Berkshire. |
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Berkshire Heathlands Project |
Heathlands are relict landscapes which can still inspire a feeling of
wilderness so rare today. Some areas of Berkshire heathland are being
restored and managed for future generations.
In 1997, through a partnership of the Greenham Community Trust and the then
Newbury District Council (now West Berkshire Council), the open area of the
former Greenham airbase was acquired for public use and enjoyment. This
area, owned by the Council, is part of Greenham and Crookham Commons and is
a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) containing
rare and fragile heathland habitat. The Commons are the largest single block
of lowland heath in Berkshire and the Council's 1,200 acre site offers an
outstanding opportunity for local people to enjoy a vast open area.
To get involved contact: Greenham & Crookham Conservation Volunteers at
www.gccv.org.ukWe have lost over 90% of heathland in Berkshire during the last 200 years.
These
once extensive heathlands which made up a substantial part of the county
have been reduced through ploughing, "improvement", development and neglect
to around 40 fragmented and small sites, many still at risk. Despite this
dramatic loss the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and Dorset
account for 28% of the world's heathlands.
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Burnham Beeches |
| Famous for its ancient, pollarded beech trees
Burnham Beeches has been owned and
managed by the Corporation of London since 1880. On the doorstep of Slough the
500 acres of woodland and common land are protected by Act of Parliament as a
public open space "for the enjoyment of Londoners" and is a unique example of
ancient managed woodland. Regular "voltasks" are organised throughout the year
with local groups - no age limit.
If you would like to join one contact the Head
Keeper, Burnham Beeches Office, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, Slough SL2 3TE, tel 01753 647358 or e-mail
burnham.beeches@btinternet.com
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Conservation Volunteers |
Local groups throughout Berkshire welcome young and
old and somewhere in between on numerous working parties. A good way to keep
fit and active whilst benefitting wildlife and your local neighbourhood at
the same time. Local groups are listed by area.
See also BTCV, Burnham Beeches, "Friends of" groups, Berkshire Conservation
Volunteers and the Local Wildlife Trust.
A small monthly volunteer group undertake tasks at
Beale Park.
Contact: Clive Ormonde tel: 0118 9470922 for further
information.
Also visit the informative
Wild Berks website
for a fuller picture of wildlife and diverse habitats to be found around
Berkshire. |
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"Friends of" Groups |
"Friends of" community groups care for small
woodlands and other areas of local wildlife or nature conservation interest.
See your separate area information.
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National Trust |
National Trust volunteers help with local
conservation work. Contact:
Reading National Trust Volunteers - e-mail Sean, Membership Secretary
at
membership@reading-ntv.org.uk, tel 0118 935 3017. Website
www.reading-ntv.org.uk
NT volunteers have also been helping with important conservation and
restoration work on the Runnymede and Ankerwycke estates on the Thames near
Wraysbury. Contact Colin Birch on 01784 432891.
Volunteers also do survey and practical work with the Otters and Rivers
Project. Contact Project Officer 01865 775476 |
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Sponsored walks, cycles, rides and swims |
| An excellent way of combining physical exercise
with raising money for your favourite conservation or community
organisation. Some 2009 dates to think about: Pancake Race
Challenge, Windsor & Eton (28 February)
Reading Half Marathon (29 March)
www.readinghalfmarathon.com
Wokingham Half Marathon (May)
WAMDSAD Annual Wheelchair Push, Maidenhead (11 July) 01628 627690
Towpath Half Marathon (Windsor - Marlow) (26 July)
Windsor Half Marathon (27 September)
www.runwindsor.com
The superfit can check out
www.humanrace.co.uk,
www.fun2tri.co.uk,
www.evotri.co.uk |
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Tree Wardens |
Tree wardens
help in the planting, monitoring and management of trees in their local
areas. Training days are also organised by the Tree Council which operates
the scheme. The Tree Warden scheme operates in the
Windsor & Maidenhead
area.
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Wildlife Trust |
 The Local Wildlife Trust, Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire own,
lease or manage 88 nature reserves throughout the three counties. The
Trust offers many opportunities for people to get involved directly in
conservation work by joining one of over a dozen work parties.
Volunteers are also needed for wardening, fund-raising and helping at
special events including the annual sponsored walk.
Ask for details and information packs about:
- Gardeners' Wildlife Challenge - how to make your garden more
wildlife-friendly.
- Go Wild in Your School Grounds - projects to get your school
involved by pond digging, creating a wildflower meadow or planting
trees.
- Living Churchyard Schemes - churchyards can offer a refuge for
much wildlife and plants if managed carefully.
- Putting Wildlife on the Map - information pack aimed at
encouraging community groups to take up wildlife survey projects of
their area.
- Sustainable Living Guide - free guide covers issues such as water
conservation, energy use, recycling, composting etc.
- Discovering Wildlife in Berkshire - places with disabled access.
Contact the Community Conservation Officer at The Local Wildlife Trust,
Berkshire Office, Woolley Firs, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead. Tel:
01628 829574. Website:
www.bbowt.org.uk See also
Nature Conservation for
species projects.For enquiries about membership contact the Oxford office on 01865
775476. A comprehensive programme of walks, talks visits and workshops
is open to all. Wildlife Watch is the organisation for children and we
run a number of Wildlife Watch groups at centres in Berkshire. Contact
the Wildlife Watch officer at the Oxford office.
LOCAL WILDLIFE WATCH GROUPS Earley Wildlife WATCH (Junior Rangers Group) - runs on the First
Sunday of every month from 10 am to 12 noon. Parents will need to fill out a
consent form on the childs first visit. Please bring waterprrof clothing or
sun cream according to weather forecast! A range of practical and fun activities on an environmental theme for
children aged 8-12 years old. Younger children may also attend, but must be
accompanied by an adult. Meet at the new interpretation centre in Istow
Road, Earley. For more information contact Helen Bowden at Earley Town Council 0118 986
8995 Maidenhead Wildlife WATCH - Contact Braywick Nature Centre 01628
777440 for further details. Reading Wildlife WATCH - Environment Centre, Prospect Park. Contact
Sarah Moore to find out more on 07712 669270 .
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