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’.