The Action for Biodiversity project (biodiversity'
simply means 'the wonderful variety of life') is all about encouraging people to become
actively involved in helping to promote their local wildlife. The project is based
at the Woodland Education Centre in Offwell, Honiton, East Devon, South West England.
There are many ways in which local people can become involved with the project, depending
on their preferred level of physical activity, as well as on their particular interests
and inclinations.
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The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and
will run until 2009. |
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New, supported, volunteering
opportunities will be provided at the Woodland Education Centre. Volunteers will help with
an organized programme of practical conservation tasks which will benefit a wide range of
species at the Centre. Conservation work parties will be organized throughout the
year. No specific skills or knowledge are required to
volunteer and make a really worthwhile contribution to the local environment. General
training will be provided and specialist training events will be organized to teach
practical countryside skills.
If volunteers wish to do so, they will be able to gain recognition
for their input at the Centre by working towards achieving a John Muir Environmental
Award. |
| A variety
of volunteer wildlife surveys of the Centre (mainly from April through to September) will
also be organized. The main aim of the surveys is to increase knowledge of the species
found at the Centre. Surveys can focus on anything in which
volunteers have a general interest. For example; mammals, birds, butterflies, moths,
dragonflies or other insects, plants or fungi. Training will be provided by experts
willing to volunteer their time and skills to help other volunteers learn survey
techniques and species recognition. |
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The Woodland Education Centre is a 50 acre nature
reserve and County Wildlife site, situated on the outskirts of Offwell, two miles from the
town of Honiton. The Centre is dedicated to promoting habitat restoration and
conservation, as well as to providing practical, real world, environmental education. It
is a Forestry Commission site, run by the Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust, a
registered charity, in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
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Over the past 20 years, the Centre has been restored
from an ecologically sterile, rhododendron jungle to a great variety of native habitats,
including many different types of woodland, ponds, a lake, streams, wetlands, marsh and
even a regenerating heathland. This diversity of habitats
means that there is also a great diversity of wildlife. Over a thousand different species
have been recorded at the Centre. Nine of these species are of national conservation
importance. |
This project offers great opportunities to learn new
skills, really make a difference to the environment and enjoy being part of a team of
like-minded people. If you would like to know more about the project, or would like to
volunteer, please contact the Trust on 01404 831373, or email: offwell1@aol.com
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The Action for Biodiversity project
is funded by
the Heritage Lottery Fund,
with additional joint support from Offwell
Environment Link
and Offwell Fundraising Group. |
Action for Biodiversity
Home
The Woodland
Education Centre - In Pictures
Rhododendron
John Muir Award
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