Guardians of Swithland Wood...

New volunteering project to train helpers with work

THE Bradgate Park Trust says it is excited to announce a new Swithland Guardians volunteering project at Swithland Wood.

The project has received £4,500 of funding from People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The scheme at Swithland Wood will train and support volunteers to champion and care for Swithland Wood, a large remnant ancient woodland that was once part of the Charnwood Forest.

The grant will support volunteers being trained in safe use of hand tools to carry out woodland management, and thus improve the habitats for wildlife. Additional training will include first aid, leading public walks, wildlife identification and woodland management theory.

The grant will also support a resource of tools and equipment, alongside promotional material and boards, so areas where volunteers are working can easily be identified. The project has an ultimate goal of developing a group of dedicated Guardians, championing the woodland and its rich natural and social heritage.

Peter Tyldesley, director of the Bradgate Park Trust, said: “Ancient woodland conservation is a biodiversity priority in the county and this area is one of the largest and most important remnants.

“We would like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery, whose support will allow us to increase volunteering opportunities and, through this, improve visibility along rides (with scalloping to attract butterflies and bats); plant sap- lings to improve structure and we will be clearing invasive bramble, especially over young trees in the new coppice compartments.”

The project will be holding conservation tasks throughout the year, with opportunities both weekdays and weekends. If people would like to get involved in the project and join the conservation volunteers, email volunteers@bradgatepark.org

You can also call the Trust on 0116 2362713 extension 26 or visit www.facebook.com/SwithlandWood