Free wildlife survey training courses in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Cranborne Chase is an area of great ecological importance, exhibiting exceptionally rich and diverse habitats of local, regional and international importance. Through a diverse programme of free training courses, online talks and site surveys, hundreds of volunteer surveyors and wildlife experts are coming together to learn more about the area’s vast biodiversity thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme.
The area is famous for nationally important ancient woodlands, internationally important chalk grassland, crystal clear chalk streams, important assemblages of arable plants and birds and significant populations of species such as dormouse, early gentian, orchids, butterflies and bats.
This richness of the biodiversity is reflected in the number and size of the designations across the area and the Nurturing Nature project aims to train hundreds of volunteers to take action for nature and is dedicated to improving our understanding of just how precious and important this area is.
Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, will manage this new project with the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme team at Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“WSBRC is Wiltshire & Swindon’s repository for biological and geological data and records. We’re very excited to be working with the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership project which will leave a lasting legacy and encourage new interest in recording”. Jon Isherwood, WSBRC Manager
Working with local land managers and local communities a diverse range of free training courses, talks and walks have been developed by the team that will train, mentor and support a new wave of wildlife surveyors to undertake an in-depth survey of these special habitats and species to help improve our understanding and take practical action to improve habitats through conservation work.
The project aims to train over 100 new local wildlife surveyors who will collect thousands of new records from across the area. It aims to improve habitat conditions for 25 key species and survey 100 sites in partnership with local farmers and landowners, as well as creating a series of practical conservation days for adults and local youth groups to get everyone involved in the project.
Over the next few months the team will be delivering dozens of community events to reach out to local communities across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire and tell people more about the training programme.
“We’re creating an exciting programme of training for our volunteers, covering a wide range of wildlife survey types, so there is something for everyone. These are designed to provide people with a basic understanding of the amazing species found on their doorstep. And this will subsequently provide us with valuable information to inform future conservation projects in the area.” – Anna Cooper, Citizen Science Project Officer at the Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre
“We’re looking for more people to join our Nurturing Nature Community and we’d love to hear from anyone who has an interest nature and wildlife, and would like to know more. The free training and volunteering opportunities will inspire a new wave of wildlife surveyors and increase awareness of this landscape and the nationally distinctive special species that rely upon it, supporting local communities to learn more and share their knowledge with others.” – Jonathan Monteith, Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme Manager.
The training will be online as well as in-person across the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership area, with full details available from the project team and through the xChase & Chalke Volunteer and Training Hub www.bttr.im/cnmw2
If you or someone you know would like more information on how to get involved, please email the team
chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk
