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.