100 NEW wildlife surveyors are needed to collect thousands of new records across the nationally important Cranborne Chase and training is free due to National Lottery Heritage Funding.
The aim is to record and improve habitat conditions for 25 key species and survey 100 sites in partnership with local farmers and landowners to create a series of practical conservation days for adults and local youth groups.
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Citizen Science Project Officer, Anna Cooper said: “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.”
Cranbourne Chase is famous for nationally important ancient woodlands, internationally important chalk grassland, crystal clear chalk streams, arable plants, birds and significant populations of species such as dormouse, early gentian, orchids, butterflies, and bats.
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This richness of biodiversity is reflected in the number and size of the designations across the area and the Nurturing Nature project is dedicated to improving people's understanding of just how precious and important the area is.
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Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme Manager, Jonathan Monteith said: “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.”
Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre is a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to manage the project and 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 to talk about the training programme.
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 Chase & Chalke Volunteer and Training Hub.
For more information go to Chase and Chalke volunteer and training hub or email chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk
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