Working for nature

What’s kept Bob Fisher volunteering for almost a quarter of a century?

IBob and his fellow volunteers help to conserve nature in Bromley.

t’s no accident that London and its surrounds comprise one of the greenest urban places on the planet. It’s down to people like Bob, who has been nurturing his local patch with the Bromley Countryside Volunteers for 24 years. “Bromley contains more green-belt countryside than any other London borough, so there’s lots to do all year,” he says. “In winter, for instance, we coppice hazel; in spring and summer, we repair fencing and manage wildlife ponds. In autumn, we carry out conservation work in the chalk grasslands, to support wildflowers and butterflies.”

Bromley, a blend of urban and rural, is home to five nature reserves and six Sites of Special Scientific Interest, all of which require regular care from the 19-strong team. A particular gem is Keston Common and its associated bogland, which is “as near to a natural landscape as you can find in the South-East,” says Bob. “Charles Darwin lived in the nearby village of Downe, and collected sundews from Keston for his studies on carnivorous plants. In my early years with the volunteers, I helped to lay the hedge bordering Down House – Darwin’s former home.”

The sundews have since vanished, but the hope is that, by removing pine trees to allow more light, and damming the stream to elevate the water table, these plants will re-emerge. In the meantime, there is a host of successes to celebrate. “Sphagnum mosses, including the rare bog asphodel, have increased; invasive European gorse has been cleared from the heathland, allowing native dwarf gorse to return; and small blue butterflies and fly orchids have colonised the chalk grasslands,” says Bob. “We’ve won awards for our work.”

Volunteering may keep Bob close to home, but in 2001 his experience enabled him to join the Earthwatch Institute for a stint in America’s Canyonlands National Park. “I was based in the Abajo Mountains, monitoring the effect of prohibiting vehicles – which had been damaging the flora and fauna – in Salt Creek,” he recalls. “It was an amazing opportunity.”

He’s followed in the footsteps of Darwin, volunteered across the pond and received awards, but Bob is just as proud to be part of arguably the longest-running nature conservation team in the borough. “I’ve made some long-term close friendships and would certainly recommend working with this team to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.”

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I helped to lay the hedge bordering Darwin’s former home.