Rangers looking to recruit volunteer task force to help with early summer conservation projects

With the summer weather knocking on the door and the plants beginning to shrug off their winter dormancy the call has gone out for volunteers to help Northam Burrows rangers with their next round of conservation tasks. While the heroes that helped out during the winter months will hopefully be returning, fresh volunteers are always needed to help out with the vital field work and conservation projects happening over the next few months.

As well as helping to care for some of the region's amazing country parks and nature reserves the volunteer days are also a great way to learn new skills, acquire new insights into nature and meet like-minded people - all in the great outdoors! The next event on Wednesday 26^th April is rush removal on Northam Burrows, which will be a clearing event to give some of nature's rarer plants the right conditions to flourish. This event will run from 10am to 3pm followed up by a beach clean at Westward Ho! in partnership with Plastic Free Torridge on 7^th May between 10am-3pm. Other events are publicised on the Northam Burrows website but will include:

·         17^th May (10am - 3pm) - Kenwith Valley Nature Reserve - weeding around new trees

·         24^th May (2pm - 4pm) - Skylark walk and breeding bird survey

·         4^th June (10am - 12pm) - Beach Clean with Plastic Free Torridge - Westward Ho!

·         15^th June - BIOBLITZ event - runners, walk leaders and general helpers needed

·         2^nd July - (10am - 12pm) Beach Clean with Plastic Free Torridge - Westward Ho!

·         19^th July - 10am - 3pm) Plant survey in the conservation scrape no experience necessary amateurs welcome!

As well as this full list of events the rangers are also looking for volunteers to help with bumblebee surveys and are asking people to make contact if they're interested in taking part. On top of the beach cleans, which are great family events, there are a few more organised family days out, including on 30^th May a signs of spring family walk and on 1^st June a butterfly crafts and quiz, all day drop in event, at the visitors' centre.

Northam Burrows Deputy Ranger Rose Roberts said:

"The volunteers that come to help us out each year are a vital part of our conservation work and through our surveys very important in helping us to better understand the current health of our nature reserves. These places are important homes to some of our rarest species such as the Water Germander plant which is only found here in Northam and at Braunton Burrows on the Eastern shore of the estuary. Please come and help us at as many events as possible or just contribute a few hours here and there, which will also make a difference. Thanks also to our partners at Plastic Free Torridge for their collaboration and campaigning to rid our beaches of harmful plastic pollutants."

All events are free to attend and all necessary equipment will be provided. Apart from the beach cleans and drop in events booking is essential so please contact northam.burrows@torridge.gov.uk or call 01237 479708. No experience necessary just bring some food and drink, weather appropriate clothing and your enthusiasm! For more information visit https://www.torridge.gov.uk/northamburrowsevents 

21 April 2023