From February 2016, NWT's
Foxley Wood National Nature Reserve will be one of the main beneficiaries of work by a new project in the heart of Norfolk, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Led by volunteers from the local community, the Mid Norfolk Workout Group will focus on improving wildlife habitats and access to the countryside. There will opportunities for people (especially in the Dereham and Fakenham area) to meet new friends and learn new skills at any of a series of sessions. They run each Friday within the school day so are suitable for parents of school-aged children.
There will be a mixture of practical tasks such as tree care and restoring ponds with learning to identify plants and animals. Participants do not need to be physically fit or have any previous experience; anyone over 18 can join in (16-17 year olds with parental permission). There will be a free minibus from Dereham town centre so that people without their own transport will have the chance to join in too.
Foxley Wood is Norfolk's largest ancient woodland. More than 350 flowering plants have been found here, including carpets of bluebells in spring, and the site is also a haven for butterflies.
The new project will be operated by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). Mark Webster, who also works for NWT part-time, will be running the project: “We are really looking forward to working with local people at these beautiful wildlife sites in the heart of Norfolk, giving people the chance to connect with nature and make a positive difference to their own natural heritage. There is plenty of coppicing and a variety of other tasks that our new group can help with in this area, as well as learning more about woodland wildlife and recording the species we see".
For more details:
Call Mark Webster on 07843 069 567
Email
[email protected]
www.tcv.org.uk/norfolk
For other ways to volunteer have a look at our volunteering section!