‘Just two minutes is all it takes to help’ says national park agency
A call is going out for us all to help protect the South Downs – even if we only have a couple of minutes to spare.
The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) says everyone can help make a difference through actions large and small.
According to SDNPA volunteer development officer Daniel Greenwood, current opportunities range from ‘microvolunteering’ to working as a volunteer ranger or joining one of a number of groups dotted across the national park.
Microvolunteering provides a flexible way for busy people to help preserve landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage in short, convenient, bitesized chunks.
The focus is on ‘easy, onthe-go activities’ which only take a couple of minutes thanks to smart phones and the internet.
This could take the form of general species monitoring via the irecord app or website – to date, microvolunteers out on a stroll have monitored rights of way, held two-minute beach cleans and spotted garden birds, moths, reptiles and amphibians.
The 300-strong volunteer ranger service works with the SDNPA to help conserve the special qualities of the South Downs by improving and promoting its landscape, wildlife, public access and heritage.
Together, volunteer rangers give over 16,000 hours of their time every year. They contribute to protecting and enhancing the park, help people get better access to it and support the work carried out in the many organisations which look after its landscape and wildlife.
Daniel said: “The help provided by such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of people has made it possible to support and deliver a huge range of projects that could not otherwise have been achieved.”
In return, he said they gain new skills, discover local history, make new friends, get exercise and get out and about and enjoy nature and the countryside.
Finally, volunteer organisations which work in or for the national park and are looking to recruit volunteers are also encouraged to register and publicise the sort of work and help they need.
Among others, the groups include Stedham and Iping parish’s History and Natural History Group, the countywide Sussex Ornithological Sussex and the Graffham Down Trust, near Petworth.
Daniel said: “To find out more, see our volunteer map for opportunities across the volunteer map and keep an eye on social media.”