The spring is as good a time as any to focus on nature conversation and this month (May) BTCV (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) launches its second Spring into Action’ campaign. This offers people the chance to get involved in looking after their local environment with over a thousand events across the UK.
Sir David Attenborough is backing the campaign because, he says, “I know that thinking globally and acting locally’ is one of the keys to our future.”
Throughout the year there are regular conservation tasks, during the week and at weekends. These can vary from tree-planting to dry stone walling, footpath construction to creating wildlife habitats. BTCV trained project leaders provide guidance and training and volunteers work at their own pace. Tasks like coppicing woodland, building steps on a hillside or clearing a pathway through a disused urban park also provide valuable cardiovascular exercise for the volunteers.
TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock is also supporting the campaign. She says: “I’ve seen at first hand the amazing way in which BTCV volunteers can transform a neglected area into a wonderful site for people and wildlife. No experience is needed so come along and get involved.”
BTCV connects people with place, builds healthy, sustainable communities and increases people’s life skills. It supports 140,000 volunteers a year who take hands-on action to improve urban and rural environments. As well as regular conservation tasks, there are UK and international conservation holidays.
BTCV purposely reaches out to often marginalised groups – such as refugees and asylum seekers – to involve them in community projects like growing their own vegetables on an allotment. This helps to raise confidence and self-esteem, provides a self-sustaining sense of purpose, as well as fresh food. Through such projects people become more integrated with their local community, in some cases improving their language skills for instance, which helps overcome social exclusion.
Volunteers Spring into Action!