The Conservation Group

Conservation Volunteering - does it sound like hard work to you? It can be, but it can also be a lot of fun. It is a chance to meet new people and have a laugh. We are not asking you to exhaust yourself, use strange implements, wear sandals or sport a beard! But we are asking you to help us manage some of the habitats left in Gosport for the benefit of the wildlife. Willing to give it a try-come once and see what it's like.

Plucking up the courage to join a new group can be quite daunting especially as you do not know what to expect.

When you arrive, introduce yourself to the leader. Wear suitable footwear, stout shoes or wellies. (The group insurance is invalidated by "unsuitable footwear"). In sunny weather, wear a hat and sunscreen lotion. Bring waterproofs. Wear old clothes, expect to get grubby! If you have any health problems -please let the leader know. If you feel unhappy about using a particular tool, say so. There are always alternatives!

Remember - the following will benefit from the time you give!

• Skylarks on Sandhill
• White Admiral butterflies in Carter's Copse
• Cetti's Warblers in the reedbed
• Bluebells in the Wildgrounds
• Plus the habitats heathland, wetlands, grassland and woodland

What are you waiting for?

If you feel perhaps practical work is a little too much, then there are other useful contributions you can make to helping Gosport's wildlife.

Could you keep a wildlife notebook of butterflies, birds or plants that you see in your local "greenspace?" It is all useful information and we would like to know it. We can give advice on how to do a butterfly transect, which involves walking a set route once a week between April and September. What could be more pleasant?

Other talents such as sign writing or an ability to build bird or bat boxes are also welcome.

We are also on the lookout for volunteers to warden the
Wildgrounds during our open period March - October.

For details about any of the above please contact

The Countryside Section on (023) 92 588666