Coppicing - a 'cut' above the rest

Felixstowe based illustrator and printmaker Clare Curtis is supporting the Trust throught the donation and sales of of her lithograph named 'Coppicing'. The image, which has turned into one of the most popular Christmas card designs in the Trusts 2012 range was on sale at a recent open day at Clare's house. As well as selling her prints, Clare also displayed packs of cards for the Trust and raised a fantastic £120. Thanks Clare.

UK's No.1 utility company support Suffolk's dormice

UK Power Networks, Platinum member of the Trust's Investor in wildlife scheme was named Utility of the Year in a double win at a glittering event last week.

The company beat strong competition to win both the prestigious Utility of the Year title and Team of the Year, at the Utility Industry Achievement Awards. 

UK Power Networks was a triple finalist at the awards, having been shortlisted for the Environment category in recognition of its unique partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and other Wildlife Trusts in the South Eastern region as well.

Two weeks before the black tie function in London, UK Power networks staff were out in the Suffolk countryside in their coats and wellies supporting dormice conservation. The hedgerows planted by the team will link up ancient woodlands in the south of the county enabling dormice to radiate out from their stronghold of Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve.

Box on a tube!

A barn owl box to be precise. Bob, as he affectionately became to be known throughout the day, was chapperoned down to London last week for the annual International Carillion S-Factor awards ceremony where the partnership between Suffolk Highways Partnership and the Trust  was being put forward in the biodiversity category.
We came runners up to a project in Dubai. I was pretty disappointed but not as much as Bob, so i promised to take a couple more photos of him by way of remembering his trip out of the county.

Who knows, he might have even been the first ever barn owl box to hit the capital's central district. We certainly had a few enquiries and thousands of quizzical looks.

NB no barn owl boxes were harmed in the making of this blog feature.

Grown by the Trust, Made by the Forge

Made by the Forge was founded in 2006 by blacksmith Richard Fishenden and his wife, Juliet.

Richard made a decision right at the start of the business to plant a tree in Suffolk for every product sold. Every year he plants native suffolk hedgerow but this year 2012 Richard contacted the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to see if they had an area he could help with. After learning that they are planning to plant 1000m of hedge to reconnect key areas of habitat for the dormouse he decided to donate all the money to help buy the hedge trees for this project.

The photograph is of Richard with Molly and Swift and some of the hedge row trees he planted Spring 2012.

 

Richard has developed a contemporary range of wrought iron kitchen wear and designed curtain poles and towel rails for the home. Recently they have added other home products handmade by local craftspeople in Suffolk to their website www.madebytheforge.co.uk.

 

Many thanks for your support.

Notcutts joins the Trust

Notcutts recently joined Suffolk Wildlife Trust as an 'Investor in Wildlife'  bronze member. The family owned group of individual garden centres have been supporting Snakes head fritillaries at Fox Fritillary Meadow nature reserve over a number of years and decided to demonstrate their commitment as a member in 2012. I look forward to developing a relationship with their staff during 2013 and onwards. Welcome Notcutts.

Christmas Cards

Suffolk Wildlife Trust's unique 100% donated Christmas card range are flying off the shelves all over the county. Every element of the card range has been donated including, design, paper, printing, packing, delivery and point of sale, ensuring that all of the funds raised go towards making a difference for wildlife on your doorstep. To buy your packs go to our website and see which local shop to you is selling the range or buy online/over the phone on 01473 890089.

A big thank you to our 2012 business supporters The Five Castles Press and sponsors Essex & Suffolk Water.

Culford School join the Trust

I am delighted to welcome Culford School as bronze level business members of our 'Investor in Wildlife ' scheme. The annual membership offers Culford School a number of benefits whilst we continue to make a difference for Suffolk's wildlife with the subs received.

The decision to join came about when Culford school engaged the Trust to undertake some advisory work to improve their grounds and estate for wildlife. I look forward to building our relationship with them in to the future.

To find out more about how to get your business involved please visit our website.

Legal and General on the pull

Trust Ranger, Sam Gay, welcomed a team of enthusiastic staff from Legal and General Insurance, Ipswich on to the Trusts newest reserve Knettishall Heath to undertake some practical conservation work on one of our  'green team' days. The scrub clearance (pulling and cutting) undertaken will help maintain the open heathland habitat which was once commonplace at Knettishall providing valuable refuge for rare plants and animals to live.

'We had a fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed it and even the rain didn't put us off.  It was great to be involved in something completely different, and we could actually see the work we had done at the end of the day. Sam was so helpful and enthusiastic and we learnt a lot from her'.
Yvette Marsh, CSR Coordinator Legal and General Insurance.

 

Carillion 'ride' on to competition finals

Yes, it was only a few weeks ago when the weather looked like this and when a number of Carillion staff were out clearing vegetation from rides (woodland paths) at Bradfield Woods. The ' green team' was the last of a number of activities organised between ourselves and Carillion as part of a grant we were awarded in Autumn 2011. One of the long term outcomes of the grant for Pete Fordham MBE, Warden of Bradfield, was the procurement of a brand new mower with which to tackle the miles of rides in this ancient woodland.

Pete said the photo is proof that Carillion did indeed turn up (!) and in fact carried out a tremendous amount of work. Please would you pass on my thanks to them all once again.

Next Spring and Summer these managed rides will become home once again to a  number of different flowering plants attracting butterflies and other invertebrates.

If you like wild places then Bradfield woods is a must see for you. I was there on Thursday this week and the changing leaf colour warmed me to the toes!

Grainger plc freshen up at Trimley Marshes

Just to say a very big thankyou to Grainger plc for supporting the work of Suffolk Wildlife Trust earlier this week.  Brett and Rob did a fantastic job, helping to renovate one of our birdwatching hides that was in need of some good tlc.  Their attitude towards the work was fantastic, and we were also blessed with a perfect day, weather-wise, allowing us to complete the task in hand in a single day.

Andrew Excell - South East Sites Manager

Investor members breakfast with barn owl

The Trust's Investor in Wildlife business members braved the early morning rain to witness two barn owl chicks being weighed and ringed by volunteer monitor Chris McIntyre. Mr. barn owl, Steve Pietrowski, was also on hand to explain the reasoning behind the monitoring process and explain how this has helped the Trust build upon its successful community barn owl conservation efforts. Sara Durham of Carillion said  ‘we were absolutely enthralled by the experience, thank you so much for the opportunity’.

Local business drives support forward

'g.m auto accessories' of Harleston, Norfolk (shhhh!) have supported a simple yet innovative idea in the foyer of their work premises.

When customers purchase spares for their motor vehicles, any loose change is encouraged into a simple vestibule on the counter for the benefit of Suffolk's wildlife. The funds are sent in annually and put in to our third party account. Here it is used to provide match funds for successful grant applications, effectively multiplying their donation by up to ten times its value! In the case of g.m.auto accessories this means that in the three years of support they have already helped to purchase one whole acre of land and create a new nature reserve for Suffolk's species. Thanks Julia and Tom.

Barnes box clever for Suffolk's barn owls

With our vision to bring back Suffolks barn owl to the west of of Suffolk, Barnes Construction have manufactured ten barn owl boxes to a bespoke, tried and tested design for installation over the coming months.

Myself, Nick fayers, Managing Director of Barnes Construction, and Martin Griffiths, carpenter who constructed the boxes offer up the design for all to see.

Our aim is to install as many of these boxes on community sites across the county as part of advisory work to engage with and inspire local people to take action for wildlife on their doorstep.

Have you seen a barn owl? Add your viewing to our interactive map

Carillion's woodland adventure continues...

Carillion and the Trust have once again built upon their ongoing relationship by entering into the Carillion Natural Habitats Fund for 2012/13. Over the past year the specific partnership efforts have focused on the last remaining parcel of ancient woodland at Bradfield woods with the Trust delivering on all of the promotional and beneficial outcomes highlighted in the funding bid. These include:

• New business members event mentioning the forthcoming involvement of Carillion staff at Hannah’s close to an assembled business community.
• Launch with press release and photocall about their involvement over the project period.
• Volunteer feature on our homepage.
• Ongoing blog features
• Best practice case study on website
• One day Plant Identification Course to upskill staff.
• Presentation to Carillion staff in Ipswich about Hannah’s close, Bradfield Woods and the new green oak centre.
• Three practical conservation team days on 'Discovering the benefits of ancient coppice woodlands', 'Creating conditions to restore ancient woodland habitat' and 'Ride Management'.

Legal and General charity event

I attended a charity day at Legal & General in Ipswich last week to promote opportunities for staff to  get closer to local wildlife. Some requested advice about wildlife gardening, some discovered they could visit a local nature reserve near to where they live, and others that we put on over 500 events throughout the year for children, families and adults (see pic below) - something for everyone, from badger watching and beach combing to bushcraft and bug hunting.

Our thanks to Yvette Marsh (CSR Coordinator) and her team for making the day a useful networking event for all the charities attending. This is what Yvette had to say...'The event was a fantastic way for charities to promote their work and for Legal & General to be involved in the local community.  Both staff and the charities benefited from the day, and many opportunities to build upon this great work have been identified as a result.'

Coop Calendar supports Wildlife

We are hugely appreciative to the East of England Co-operative Society, for raising funds for Suffolk Wildlife Trust, through sales of their wonderful wildlife calendars. 

The calendars, which went on for last Christmas shoppers, proved very popular with local photographers who sent in their shots in the hope of being picked.

The money raised will help to lever in further funds and enable Suffolk Wildlife Trust to track down the remaining dormouse populations in the South of Suffolk.

UK Power Networks consolidates relationship

The Partnership between the Nine Wildlife Trust's (including Suffolk) from the South-East of England and UK Power Networks took a step forward recently when delegates from all parties met at Newington House in London. As a regional member of the nine Trusts, UK Power Networks expressed how good news stories, volunteering opportunities and advice on wildlife matters were all key benefits in the partnership to date. Following an evaluation of the past 18 months activity a number of actions have been circulated to build upon these successes and develop the relationship even further over the next year. 'Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day so worthwhile.' Heather Patrick - Sustainability Adviser.

Pedal power links reserves

Staff from new Bronze level ‘Investor in Wildlife’ member White Stuff, Ipswich cycled around the county over five days in April to demonstrate the need for wildlife to have a better connected countryside. Chris Dunn, Store Manager said ‘ We came up with an idea to put a bike on a training frame in our shop window and then, as staff and members of the public pedalled along, we used a milometer to calculate the total distance travelled and marked the route on a large display map alongside’. The response to the fundraiser has been terrific with all 51 nature reserves reached at a total of 350 miles. White Stuff, Ipswich has chosen Suffolk Wildlife Trust as their charity partner for 2012.

BArn owl and chicks screen shot

I was meaning to get this out to you all last week without success. Here is a reasonably recent screen shot of our Mrs P and chick peas from our live web cam.

Something Wet and Wild for the whole week!

On friday next at the Suffolk show Suffolk Wildlife Trust will be celebrating World Oceans day and launching our Friends of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) campaign.

Running in parallel with the petition fish campaign (designed to raise awareness and lobby govenerment later this year for the designation of MCZ's) this new call to action gives people the option to sign up and become a Friend of one or more MCZ.  Friends will be contacted by the Trust's Living Seas team at regular intervals to ask for support with lobbying Government to designate all these MCZs – this may include encouraging Friends to meet with their local MP, for example.  Find out more.

We're on stand 628 of the Suffolk show and they are a number of fishy activities to get involved with including family craft, creating willow fish, marine quiz and touch table. You can also experience 10 giant-sized jellyfish floating around the stand.
As well as the show  see below for our wide range of marine activities and events throughout the county.

Sunday 10th June  Guided beach walk at Sizewell Meet at Sizewell Hall, 9.30am. Free, no booking needed.  Info: Alde & Blyth Wildlife Group 01728 746441

Sunday 1st July  Marine wildlife and coastal vegetation  - adult learning course

Landguard Fort, Felixstowe, 10am–3pm. £25. Book on 01473 890089 or online

Saturday 28th July  Marine wildlife - adult learning course

Carlton Marshes. £15. Book on 01473 890089 or at www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Sunday 29th July  Family event – The Secret Seashore

Landguard, Felixstowe, Manor Road carpark. 1.30-4.30pm. Free. No booking needed

Tuesday 31st July. Something Fishy – children’s activity day for 4-7 year olds

Lackford Lakes, 10.30am-12.30pm. £4 per child.   Book on 01284 728706

Tuesday 31st July. Shoresearch on Pakefield Beach. Family event for all ages

£1 per person. 10am–2pm. Info on 01502 564250.  No booking needed

Thursday 2nd August. Under the Sea – children’s activity day for 8-12 year olds

Lackford Lakes, 10.30am–2.30pm. £6 per child. Book on 01284 728706

Wednesday 8^th August. Commotion in the Ocean – children’s activity day for 4-7       year olds Carlton Marshes, 10am-12pm. £4 per child.  Book on  01502 564250

Thursday 9th August. Sharks – children’s activity day for 8-12 year olds.

Carlton Marshes, 10.30am-2.30pm. £6 per child.  Book on  01502 564250

Thursday 9th August. Underwater Mystery – children’s activity day for 6-10 year olds

Foxburrow Farm, 10am-2pm. £6 per child.  Book on 01394 380113

Sunday 16th September. Beach clean at Pakefield – family drop in event

10am-1pm. Free event, no booking needed. £1 for crafts

Saturday 22nd September. Coastal guided walk. Meet at Shingle Street 2pm. Free, no booking needed. Info: Woodbridge Wildlife Group 01394 411237

Wednesday 10th October. Secret Seas of East Anglia – talk with Rob Spray Leiston United Church, 7.30pm. No booking needed. Alde & Blyth Wildlife Group 01728 746441

Sunday 21st October. Suffolk Heritage Coast – talk Lackford Lakes, 7.30pm. £2.50,

no booking needed.  Info: Bury Wildlife Group 01284 827068

Tuesday 30^th October. Shoresearch on Pakefield Beach. Family event for all ages

£1 per person. 1pm – 4pm. Info on 01502 564250.  No booking needed

Barnes Construction sponsor live barn owl web cam

Beaming to your computer, live from Redgrave & Lopham Fen (When our very rural broadband connection is up to it!) you can now watch ‘Mr & Mrs P’ and their baby chick P's with some stunning footage from within their nest box.

This pair of barn owls have made it their home for the second year running, having successfully raised four barn owl chicks last year.  The owls have  been unofficially named after Steve Piotrowski, the Trust’s resident barn owl expert and pioneer of barn owl conservation in Suffolk.
So, get involved, keep an eye on our barn owls and let us know in the comments section if you see anything interesting. We hope to share many special barn owl moments with you.

This has been made possible with the techy wizardry of Wildlife Whisperer and kind financial support from Barnes Construction.

So wow your friends and family this weekend whilst having a barbecue, spending time in the garden or putting your feet up with this addictive and essential viewing.

iSpying barn owls

Bringing back Suffolk’s barn owls

Help us bring back Suffolk’s barn owls by adding your barn owl sightings to our new interactive online map. Suffolk Wildlife Trust will use the information gathered through this site to:

• help expand the range of barn owls
• to target nest box installation
• and provide habitat advice where it is most needed

Suffolk’s barn owls

Barn owl numbers have declined markedly in the UK since the 1930s. Suffolk records for 1985 show 150 breeding pairs, all nesting in farm buildings or in natural sites such as hollow trees. By 2005, there were thought to be around 125 pairs, restricted almost exclusively to north-east Suffolk. The lack of natural nest sites was highlighted as the critical factor limiting their breeding success.

Since then, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists Group have worked with community groups and landowners to install over 1,000 nest boxes in areas where there are known or historic barn owl populations. Nest box checks from the 2011 breeding season found 192 breeding pairs in boxes.

Something wild for the garden?

With the rain holding off this weekend this is an opportune moment to get things done around the garden - your own personal nature reserve.

I have managed to encourage a pair of goldfinches into my garden by simply perservering with a feeder full of niger seed - they've just found it -  and the bird box situated under the eaves of my childrens playhouse has encouraged a pair of nesting blue tits. Simple additions like these have brought a new world of learning and discovery at our breakfast table.

There are several plant sales happening at Trust centres over the next fortnight with local enthusiasts and experts on hand to help you make the right choice.

Sunday 6th May - Lackford Lakes - 10am - 4pm
Sunday 13th May - Foxburow Farm - 2pm - 4pm
Sunday 20th May - Upper Abbey Farm, Leiston - 10.30am - 3pm

We also provide advice on a number of ways to improve wildlife in your garden or business grounds with our range of online factsheets.

If we connected everyones gardens in the UK it would amount to an area 7 times that of greater London linking wildlife to the wider countryside so go and find your green fingers in the shed or greenhouse, and take in the splendour of Spring on your doorstep this weekend.

Celebrating your businesses natural environment

Has your business created a workplace garden for staff to enjoy and wildlife to thrive in?

The Wildlife Trusts and Royal Horticultural Society are running a competition to reward those who turn their gardens into wildlife havens. The Big Wildlife Garden includes a Business category and there is still time to enter at www.bigwildlifegarden.org.uk – entries close on Sunday 20 May. You can enter the Business category if you are a business with your own workplace wildlife garden.  Winners will receive two tickets to the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, where the awards ceremony and exclusive wildlife gardening masterclass will be held on 6 July.  They will also receive a year’s membership of the RHS and The Wildlife Trusts, and a plaque for the garden.

The Big Wildlife Garden Competition is funded by Defra.

Something Wild for the Weekend?

Dormice are enjoying spectaculr displays of bluebells and other woodland flowers at this time. They are looking their best right now.

Wherever you live take a visit to one of our ancient woodlands to experience this wildlife spectacle either this week or as soon as possible.

Arger Fen & Spouse Vale - Sudbury
Bradfield Woods - between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Groton wood - Hadleigh
Reydon wood - Southwold
Bonny Wood - Stowmarket
Combs Wood - Stowmarket
Bulls Wood - Sudbury
Captain's Wood - Sudbourne

Carillion go Nuts for Suffolk's Dormice

Carillion is supporting the Trust with £5000 form its Natural Habitats Fund which will go towards a new mower and training for volunteers to use a brush cutter for the long term management of Bradfield Woods.

The partnership will see Carillion staff take part in learning and practrical tasks over the course of a year with the focus of improving the newly acquired 16 acre block of ancient woodland called Hannah's close.

After the first day out coppicing and nest box checking Sara Durham of Carillion said

'We had a good day out, Pete Fordham was very good at keeping us in order and imparting his knowledge , and the talk by Simone was excellent too! We look forward to the next visit'.

Dormice are a UK and European protected species and live predominantly in ancient woodland here in Suffolk, the edge of their national range.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Investor in Wildlife blog, a regular source of information for your business and work colleagues to keep up to date with the various ways wildlife and people are benefiting from our membership scheme and other partnerships throughout the county.

When we surveyed your companies a year or so back you told us that networking and keeping in regular touch was key to your involvement so please feel free to share this information with others and sign up for updates to the right of this post.

Michael Strand

Community Fundraising Manager