The Southern Cooperative, who are valued corporate members of Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), have enjoyed getting hands-on carrying out practical nature conservation work on DWT’s nature reserve at Upton Heath.
The rain and wind didn’t deter them as they cut down pine and birch trees, and helped dig trenches, all to help protect and nurture heathland, which provides habitats for a huge variety of wildlife.
Upton Heath Warden, Nigel Brooks said, “We have a wide variety of volunteers who feel passionate about wildlife and the support of corporate volunteers is invaluable to us. They are the backbone of our winter work programme and we wouldn’t get even half of the work done without them. We want to keep the heathland open, so it is important to manage the number of pine trees and maintain selected wooded areas. It’s hard work, but we know that the volunteers get a lot out of it, and we do provide jacket potatoes to keep them going!”
Wildlife such as all six native reptiles, including the smooth snake, sand lizard and birds such as the nightjar and Dartford warbler all live on heathland, so proper management of their habitats is essential for their survival.
Volunteer and Southern Cooperative store manager, David John Morgan said, “We love getting dirty and helping nature. To put a cheque in a bank account is one thing, but to actually come and help is another! It helps strengthen the morale of the team, promotes team-work and it’s nice to do something different. We feel a part of something bigger.”
DWT’s Membership Manager, James Haldane, said, “The Southern Cooperative is one of our most valued corporate members and we are very grateful for the volunteer tasks they carry out with Dorset wildlife Trust. They are always keen to get hands-on with the practical conservation, and are exceptionally generous in their support to various DWT projects around the county.”
For more information about becoming a corporate member, please visit: https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/corporatesupporters.html or contact James Haldane on 01305 264620, or email [email protected].
