An appeal has been launched for more volunteers to help care for Bath’s landscape as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund scheme to enhance the grassland and woodland surrounding the city.
Bathscape’s Community Action for Nature Group, which runs regular volunteering sessions in the countryside around Bath, is looking for volunteers to help care for the landscape and make sure it can be enjoyed by future generations.
The work people could get involved in is varied, but it will give people the chance to develop new skills, while working to restore important grassland and woodland areas that are under threat.
From hand-collecting seeds from yellow rattle plants on National Trust land to sowing the seeds later in the year throughout the Bathscape area, volunteers will see the fruits of their labour.
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “With growing concerns about climate emergency and biodiversity loss, here is an opportunity for people to take positive action.
“Meadows and grasslands are teeming with wildlife and are essential for many pollinating insects. In Bath they also form the stunning green backdrop of the city itself.”
The National Trust and Avon Wildlife Trust are leading the Community Action for Nature group for Bathscape.
Amy Coulthard, Director of Conservation at Avon Wildlife Trust, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery, we are going to be able to work with communities in Bath, supporting hundreds of new volunteers over the next five years, as we take crucial steps towards safeguarding these important habitats.”
The National Trust’s Countryside Manager in Bath, Rob Holden, added: “We’re so excited to be part of this project, and look forward to welcoming lots of new volunteers, to help care for important grasslands across Bath.
“Volunteering is a great way of meeting people and making new friends, while feeling a great sense of pride in caring for your local green space.”
If you own some woodland or grassland in the Bathscape area, then the project may also be able to offer you some free advice on how to better manage it and make it more wildlife-friendly.
For more information on any of the above, get in touch with Bathscape’s Volunteer Coordinator on 01225 477593 or email [email protected].