Gift to Nature » conservation

Earth casting, origami, tree dressing & bug hunts in Totland this weekend

Sam — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:37:11 +0000

Family drop-in Arts day in our beautiful wildlife meadow. Earth casting with Eccleston George artists, origami and tree dressing. Plus wildlife activities which will include hunting for bugs, lizard, orchids and butterflies. FREE to all ages.

When: Sat 17th Jul 2010

Directions: behind Totland Rec Ground – turn right at Colwell Rd roundabout and follow signs.

Supported By; West Wight Landscape Partnership, Island 2000, IWC.

Frog marching

Tracy — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:42:33 +0000

Just a reminder to everyone that after a late start this year frogs and toads are now out in full force making their seasonal migration to breeding ponds to spawn – and in some places this involves large numbers crossing roads, so please do keep an eye out for them and drive carefully. Toads in particular have suffered a steep decline in recent years and are now on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

Froglife help organise nationwide ‘toad patrols’ and provide advice so for further information please click on www.froglife.org/toadsonroads

Newts in your Neighbourhood

Tracy — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:39:36 +0000

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is launching a new project to promote ponds on the Isle of Wight. In partnership with the Environment Agency, West Wight Landscape Partnership and Kitbridge Enterprises, they are currently trying to find out more about newts on the Isle of Wight.

If you’d like to take part in a simple (and fun!) torch survey to look for newts the survey form is attached here.

For further info please look out for the article in our Spring Gift to Nature newsletter.

Gift to Nature project featured on BBC

Tracy — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:29:35 +0000

Our Director Ian Boyd was enthusing about our iconic Wall Lizards on the BBC this week.

Conservation at Munsley Bog

Sam — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:43:38 +0000

The Green Gym cleared bramble, bracken and Willow, in order to make room for smaller wetland plants, such as Heath Spotted Orchid and Marsh Pennywort. They also set to work repairing dams in order to maintain water tables, again to help these type of plants flourish. The cut Willow was recycled, as it was used to create a woven willow fence to replace a broken section of the existing cleft-oak fencing.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary returns to Parkhurst

Sam — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:50:23 +0000

Conservation work in January this year

Excellent news from Parkhurst, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary population is recovering. This is in part thanks to conservation work Gift to Nature funded. Green Gym volunteers cleared swathes of ride edges to provide the essential habitat for this rare little butterfly. The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is one of our most threatened species, principally due to the reduction in coppicing, the butterfly responds well to clearing work which provides their favourite food sources.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary courtesy of ukbutterflies.co.uk

Parkhurst is now back in Forestry Commission management after a lapse of a few years and has already undergone quite a transformation in 2009 which will lead to some interesting changes in the future.