Before I start a diary on this (my first diary ever) I want to write an introduction and tell you about some of the skills I have learned on the way.
I joined my local group of conservation volunteers about 4 years ago, and it is one of the best things I have ever done. For a long time I worked in a job that I hated simply because it was what I knew and it was well paid. I used to dread getting up in the morning on a work day. Then, with the support of my partner, I left that job to find a better way of life. This included starting a degree and, of course, joining South Somerset Conservation Volunteers. Now, every day is a joy, and on the days that I am going out to volunteer, I definately have a spring in my step.
Here is a picture of me helping to plant a hedge on a cold, wet day, standing in mud and still smiling:-)
The group, as a whole, are a great bunch of people. There is a core membership of about 5 people, and there are others that may only come out for one day, or stay for a few months, then leave to go on to other things. Ages range from teenagers to OAPs, and we all get on really well. We have members from all walks of life. Some are students, studying for various qualifications in subjects such as countryside management or wildlife conservation. Some are people with learning difficulties or other problems, where learning team work and other socials skills is important for their progress. Some are retired teachers, business people and ex forces personnel etc. The one thing we all have in common is that we all have a love and/or interest in wildlife and nature and we all choose to volunteer in this way.
The group is affiliated with BTCV, which is a well known national conservation charity. They provide transport, tools, first aid cover, insurance and training. As well as tea, coffee and biscuits, and a project leader.
A few months after joining I became a Volunteer Officer with BTCV. My job title was Natural Breaks Officer. This entailed running a programme of Natural Break Conservation Holidays in my area as well as assisting in the running of the South Somerset Midweek Group and the Somerset office. The position was only temporary because the system is designed to give people who want to follow a career in this type of work the opportunity to gain practical experience. However, during my time as a VO I had access to free certified training in many skills, in return for my commitment.
This training included species identification courses, leadership courses, and health and safety/risk assessment courses as well as practical skills such as first aid, mini bus driving, dry stone walling, woodland management skills including, planting, coppicing and felling (I now have an NPTC certificate in various chain saw operations, something that I would not have been able to afford without BTCV).
Other skills I have acquired, during my NVQ training (also paid for by BTCV funding, but not finished yet) include hedgelaying and step, fence, stile and bridge building, as well as general experience in pond maintenance, scrub clearance, invasive species control and how to cook a perfect baked potato on a bonfire!
I am no longer a VO but I still go out with the group once a week. We work on various projects, some of which are one offs and some are ongoing and form part of the long term management plans for the sites that we visit regularly.
I also go out on some weekends and have worked on conservation projects in other parts of the UK, and I am a registered leader with BTCV for their conservation holidays.
I know that not everyone can just give up their job or other responsibilities to go out and volunteer every week, but there is always something you can do if you are really interested. If you want to join in, then contacting your local wildlife trust or BTCV office or even your local council will give you a good starting point. They will be able to tell you about events and volunteering opportunities in your local area, where you can take part as little or as often as you like.
See you next time.
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June 19th, 2006
Not scary really! Unless you have arachnophobia….
Before I bought it, my house was rented out a few times. One of the previous occupants had obviously left a load of stuff in the shed (which is quite a good wooden one and quite sound, just needs a lick of timber treatment - very handy indeed!) in bin bags. Closer inspection showed that this was a push chair, a cot, baby clothes and various other kid’s paraphernalia. I put it all on freecycle and it’s now mostly gone - much more satisfactory than going to landfill, I’m glad the stuff I wanted to get rid of is doing some other people a good turn.
Freecycle operates in many countries throughout the world. To find your local group, start here - http://www.freecycle.org/. My local group was quite small and slow when I joined but now there are usually 10 or 20 posts a day. It’s a great scheme and I do recommend you participate.
See, not a horrible hairy spider in sight - actually i’m sure there’s plenty in the shed, I just didn’t notice them!
June 16th, 2006
Preparing for trip to Michigan. Will be taking lots of food with me, as organic and natural food practically unheard of in small town i will be visiting. Borrowing ice chest. Have been making my all natural body oil to take to sisters. Spent time yesterday making nice labels for jars so they will be more accepting of a non-commercial product. Hoping if it looks pretty, they will like it. Must say, I would buy a product with such pretty labels. :) Have already prepped them by saying if they use on their face, it will take 5 years off. Also good for the excema we share. Thinking of taking them some of the natural soap I use too. Hoping to impress upon them how wonderful living naturally is. Have 10 days to do so.
June 12th, 2006
Two interesting gardening programs that were on tonight, one with an eco-bit and one not really :o)
First on was Alan Titchmarsh’s ”How to be a gardener”. Tonight he was explaining how to design a border, which was particularly useful for me as I’m hoping to plant out my front garden this weekend and maybe, if I’m feeling brave, borrow a strimmer and try to get a bit of a grip on the back, (currently complete with lions, tigers and bears).
This link has some info about the show and online courses on gardening basics (from series one) and garden design (from this series) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/htobg_index.shtml
The eco bit came in Gardener’s world which had a section with Monty Don all about using grey water in the garden - including what looked like a handy device for syphoning the water out of the bath. A bit expensive for me at the moment but not out of the way for the future, although i do mostly shower - guess I could put the plug in and collect the water that way though… Here’s a link that lets you watch Monty tell you about using grey water in the garden, and at the bottom are the details on the syphoning device. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/factsheets/pages/28.shtml
June 10th, 2006
Not a good day for the superstitious. Up at 6 a.m. also. Hmm…hope this is not an omen. As I make coffee, I notice the ants are still traipsing around my sink, looking for crumbs. Take coffee to computer, look up natural ant deterrents. Find that most require you to find the point of entry. Stumble back into kitchen, with sleepy eyes watch ants march across my counter. See they are disappearing somewhere above utensil drawer. Other household members are still asleep. With only lamplight, imagine I can bend down, open drawer, and see where they are coming in. Surely near kitchen door. Hit forehead with drawer point. Eyes cross, but I am okay. Close drawer, stand back up. Watch ants proudly march again. Sigh loudly. Come back to computer and coffee. Make mental note to find entry point in full daylight and write “cloves” on store list.
Think about pending trip to Michigan to watch neice get married. Think about tourists’ children being in emergency room due to black fly bites in area I will be visiting. Weigh options. 1–Don’t go. (Can’t not go! Family will kill me!) 2–Go, but use commercial insect sprays on my young children. (It didn’t hurt ME when I was a kid!) 3–Look up natural insect repellents, specifically black flies and mosquitoes. (Can I trust something not strong to fully protect my babies?) Quite the conundrum. Don’t want offspring to have fever, vomiting, horrible cramps, etc…Question why neice couldn’t get married in the winter. Decide to pack lots of INSIDE toys. No outside toys.
Time for coffee refill.
June 6th, 2006
Today sees the relaunch of The Environment Site blog with a slight change in direction. The new blog will feature a series of online diaries detailing how a number of our members are trying to live a green lifestyle. Hopefully this will both inform and inspire all of you out there to do your bit to help this great planet of ours too.
Adi
www.TheEnvironmentSite.org
June 5th, 2006
