Volunteers from J. P. Morgan have been helping Dorset Wildlife Trust to protect the wildlife of Upton Heath. The office workers joined wardens as part of national Make a Difference Day (MADD), giving up their free time for a day of hard work on the nationally important wildlife site near Poole.
Over thirty office workers volunteered to clear invasive birch and pine that could damage the heathland and its rare wildlife. Upton Heath is one of the most important nature reserves in Dorset, home to threatened birds and the rarest reptiles in Britain. The volunteers worked on the southern section of the heath, one of the areas undamaged by the large fire of 2011.
Andy Fale, Upton Heath Restoration Project Officer, said: “The heathland habitat is very vulnerable to threats from invasive species. We rely on volunteers to help keep this in check and we are very grateful to the team from J. P. Morgan who really have made a difference for local wildlife.”
Tracey, Struthers-Frost,a member of the J.P. Morgan Community Relations Committee,said: “We were blessed by the weather, Upton Heath is beautiful and the baked potatoes cooked in the bonfire went down really well. The people from DWT were very helpful and knowledgeable, and I had some great feedback on the day with a number of people asking when our next Good Works Volunteering day will be!”
Volunteer Jamie Donaldson from J.P. Morgan added: “We always really enjoy the MADD events. We enjoy being in the open air, helping habitats and wildlife and learning about wildlife”
If you would like to get involved with volunteering on Upton Heath, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering or ring Andy on 01202 692033.
