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Volunteer to help New Forest wildlife this New Year
Last modified: 09 January 2012
Goshawk chicks in the New Forest, 2011
If you haven’t yet made your New Year’s resolutions, why not think about volunteering and help support your local wildlife in the process?
The RSPB is looking for people to volunteer for a Date with Nature in the New Forest which will run from 31st March until the 2nd September.
The project is run out of the Forestry Commission’s New Forest Reptile Centre, near Lyndhurst and is a partnership between the RSPB, New Forest National Park Authority, Forestry Commission and Carnyx Wild. It offers people the chance to get closer to the variety of wildlife found in the New Forest, including magnificent birds of prey, reptiles and ground nesting birds.
If you have an interest in nature and wildlife and enjoy meeting people then this could be just what you’re looking for. You’ll get to spend time in the wonderful surroundings talking to people about the wildlife of the New Forest, the RSPB and how people can support the charity’s work.
Therasa Paul, RSPB’s events officer, said: “You don’t need to be a bird expert to volunteer for the project. The most important thing is to be outgoing, enthusiastic about wildlife and have a friendly nature.”
“"This successful project is now in its sixth year and we have a lovely team of volunteers who talk to the public about local wildlife and the work of the RSPB, but we want to expand the team this year to also include people who would like to be trained to recruit new members to help support the RSPB.
"Volunteering for the RSPB is so rewarding. Many of the volunteers can't wait to come back again and again. It's a great way to make new friends and at the same time to feel that you have done something really worthwhile, whichever of the roles you decide to choose."
Live footage will be beamed from the nest of a bird of prey into the visitor centre and as a volunteer you’ll get to show people this amazing spectacle. You’ll also help them to use viewing equipment to get a closer look at some of the other birds in the forest.
The project has run successfully now for 5 years thanks to the support of local volunteers. They have ranged in age from teenagers to retired people and all agree it is a very rewarding experience to contribute to conservation work.
Therasa added: “I started as a volunteer at the Date with Nature in the New Forest three years ago and it was a really valuable experience which helped me develop new skills.”
Training will be given for all volunteer roles, if you are interested in volunteering or would like further details please contact Therasa Paul on 07889 615728 or email: therasa.paul@rspb.org.uk, or Nick Rosekilly on 01273 763627