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Love Nature? Want to make a difference? Become a volunteer!
1 October 2012
Bethan Lloyd
Communications Officer
E-mail: bethan.lloyd@rspb.org.uk
The popular reserve currently has several opportunities. They are searching for passionate people who’d like to help as an assistant in Visitor Centre shop, help out on the reserve as a membership recruiter or support the Conwy Connections project, helping with the makeover of the reserve.
The Volunteering Taster Day is a chance to meet some of RSPB’s volunteers to find out what it's really like, walk around the reserve and chat about how you might give something back to nature as a volunteer.
Clare Keynon, RSPB Conwy’s Retail Manager said “We are looking for enthusiastic and energetic people who have a keen interest in conservation and wildlife to come and join our friendly team. Don’t worry if you feel you don’t have expert knowledge we give you full training. Come down on Sunday to see what we do and we’ll be here to answer all of your questions.”
Alex Jones has volunteered at RSPB Conwy since he was an A-level student, and continues during his holidays now that he is a primary school teacher. Alex said "As a volunteer, I get to meet loads of interesting people in a place that is full of wildlife. Whether I'm in the shop or helping children to discover bugs in the pond, it's a really fulfilling way to give something back to the RSPB.”
As well as opportunities within the visitor’s centre, the reserve is looking for volunteers to help with the exciting makeover, over the next 12 months. Conwy Connections aim is to enhance the connection between people and wildlife by creating spaces that will encourage everyone to get close up to nature. There are many elements to the project including building a new observatory out of straw bales and constructing a new natural play and picnic area. Conwy Connections are looking for individuals who’d be prepared to get stuck in and aren't afraid of mud!
Conwy Connections is an initiative part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and is a component element of the Countryside Council for Wales' Communities and Nature strategic project.
To find out more about becoming an RSPB Volunteer, visit www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering
Notes
RSPB Conwy nature reserve receives up to 90,000 visitors every year, and is a well-established attraction for tourists to North Wales.
www.rspb.org.uk/conwy
Every year, almost 1,000 volunteers in Wales make a combined donation of around 75,000 hours of unpaid work to the RSPB, doing all kinds of tasks that enrich them.
Event Listing:
RSPB Conwy Volunteer Taster Day
Sunday 7 October 2012, 2-4 pm
RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve
Free of Charge
Conwy Connections:
1. European Structural Funds in Wales: The EU’s European Regional Development Fund is part of the £3.4bn Structural Funds programmes 2007-2013 aimed at creating economic, social and environmental improvements for people, business and communities across Wales. For more information visit www.wefo.wales.gov.uk
2. Communities and Nature is a £14.5m European Funded Project led and managed by CCW and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government. Its aim is to use our natural environment in Wales to create economic opportunities through leisure and tourism - providing valuable, sustainable jobs in areas and communities where they are needed.
3. RSPB Cymru would like to thank those whose donations support RSPB Conwy nature reserve and visitor facilities, including The Crown Estate, Cemlyn Jones Trust, Environment Wales, Conwy Town Council and the RSPB Conwy Support Group.
4. Conwy Connections initiative includes:
• play spaces for youngsters, using natural materials and their own imaginations; among the features planned are den-building, a secret tunnel, a “roly poly” bank and mud bath
• an elevated area providing views across the lagoons
• new wildlife habitat, created by planting native wild flowers and bushes
• a new picnic area and events space for the popular Farmers’ Markets and Gardeners’ Markets
• an observation room overlooking one of the reserve’s lagoons – a green building, built out of straw bales
• solar thermal installation in the coffee shop
• an improved car park
• art installation at the entrance of the reserve
• new interpretation around the reserve and in the hides