Free Wildlife Survey training courses in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire thanks to National Lottery Heritage Funding
The Cranborne Chase area which exists between Salisbury and Blandford forum and stretches up towards Warminster. It is an area of great ecological importance, exhibiting exceptionally rich and diverse habitats of local, regional, and international importance.
Though an exciting programme of free training courses, online talks, and on-site surveys, hundreds of volunteers are coming together for the Nurturing Nature project to learn more about the areas vast biodiversity thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership. The project is being managed by team members at the Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
‘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
Over the next few months, the team will be delivering dozens of events to reach out to local communities across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire to tell people more about the training programme, which is now live for booking.
“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.
If you would like to get involved, please email AnnaC@WSBRC.org if you have any questions.
If you’d like to see what opportunities you can get involved with as part of the Nurturing Nature project and more, please register at the Chase & Chalke volunteer hub.