Page 15 - BBOWT Annual Review 2016-17
P. 15
We feel great
looking after nature
Winter storms give our magnificent army of volunteers plenty of work to do,
as Charlotte Karmali, volunteer warden at Finemere Wood in Bucks describes:
“Powerful gales had left many of the Charlotte’s team are typical of the work parties in our three counties.
guards protecting new trees damaged, Hard-working men and women of all ages, many who are extremely
leaving delicate saplings open to knowledgeable, give their time and energy freely to help BBOWT achieve its
predation.And so the challenge was vision to create an environment rich in wildlife, valued by all.
set: with limited resources,the guards
on 1,000 saplings must be checked BBOWT shines a spotlight on the achievements of our volunteers, honouring
and secured. their work through Group, Individual and Lifetime Achievement awards,
which are given at our AGM.
Today was about brains rather than
brawn.A handful of canes,some cable Last year Group winners were Pat Beavan and Helen Keiller, two former
ties,a few spare tree guards and off the teachers who run the Nature Tots sessions for pre-school children at Woolley
team went.I watched,marvelling at the Firs education centre near Maidenhead. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and
ingenuity and creativity of this skills help to make the monthly sessions a resounding success.
remarkable group of people.”
The Individual winner was Ciaran Kealy, who at 25 years of age is one of the
youngest volunteers. Three days a week Ciaran is out with different groups,
including Wild Oxford and the Friends of Chimney Meadows, bringing his
enthusiasm and skills to each group.
A Lifetime Achievement winner from a previous year is Mick Jones,
volunteer warden at Dancersend. This superb nature reserve in the Chilterns
attracts conservation work parties from the Chiltern Society and other local
groups, keen to keep this wild place special.
1,400
volunteers
18,200
volunteer days
5335
WwioldrkliifnegTrgarinoeuepss across
the 3 counties
Annual Review 2016/17 | Berks,Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust 15
