Dear All,
The Fenn’s National Nature Reserve volunteers work very hard in all weathers and have made a significant impact in the restoration of the moss.
They have been nominated for a Natural England Grafta Award in the team category and have made the shortlist:
Team volunteer
Volunteers at Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve
In a nutshell: The volunteer team at the Mosses is an integral part of the operation of the NNR and completely complements the Natural England staff team.
Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve is a lowland raised bog on the English/Welsh border. Historically the bog has suffered extensive damage by extraction and drainage and the practical restoration work includes raising water levels and removing trees. This allows the rare bog life to thrive.
The volunteers on the reserve bring commitment, integrity, skill and enthusiasm to the tasks in hand. The team ranges from recent graduates looking for practical experience, work experience students, youth groups and also longer term work placements from colleges and universities through to recently retired people. There are about 100 people in all and they provide the bulk of the monitoring activity that informs the development and restoration of the site.
As well as this monitoring work, many undertake practical aspects of site restoration, maintenance and access tasks. Just as importantly, the volunteer team act as ambassadors for the reserve and what is being achieved there, with visitors, visiting groups and especially in the wider community – this particularly impressed the judging panel.
Peter Bowyer
Reserve Manager
Please use the voting link for volunteers to cast your vote and spread the word
Luke Neal, Community Officer, Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme
c/o Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AH
Tel 01743 284275, luken@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
-- Yoland Brown Brownhill House B&B, Ruyton XI Towns, nr. Shrewsbury SY4 1LR ShACC - Shropshire Alternative Car Club www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.com www.ShACC-uk.org Tel: 01939 261 121 Fax: 01939 260626
