Suffolk Churchyard Survey
It is now 15 years since Suffolk Wildlife Trust carried out a survey of wildlife in Suffolk churchyards.  As there continues to be a great interest in churchyards and their wildlife, we are keen to update our information. We have therefore launched a countywide survey this Spring. As there are over 500 churchyards in Suffolk we anticipate that the survey will take place over the next few years.

The survey covers all types of wildlife. We are not looking for plant experts and we would like as many people to take part as possible. It does not matter if more than one person carries out a survey of the same churchyard. Our aim is to encourage interest and highlight the importance of Suffolk churchyards as refuges for wildlife.

The response to the survey has already been tremendous, but there are still parishes that have not got volunteers yet, so if you would like to take part in the survey please let us know.

We need your name and address so that we can post out the forms, your e-mail and/or telephone number to allow us to keep in touch and the name and parish of the churchyard you would like to survey.  If someone has already volunteered for your chosen churchyard we will let you know and try to offer you an alternative one nearby.

Requests for survey forms can be made by e-mail – susan.stone@suffolkwildlifetrust.org or by telephone on 01473 890089.

Help needed at Redgrave & Lopham Fen visitor centre.
The centre holds plant sales, an apple day, photographic and art exhibitions as well as guided walks and natural history and art courses.  Education days for schools and activity days for children are held throughout the year; there are also family evenings and a wildlife watch group. We are lucky to have a team of committed volunteers but we need more!

Flexible times to suit you, mid-week or weekend - No experience necessary. Learn new skills and make new friends while making a difference to Suffolk’s Wildlife. Tel Cathy or Celeste (01379) 688333

Conservation volunteers - at Hazlewood Marshes, Bradfield Woods and Trimley Marshes. For further information please contact Mick Wright for Trimley and Hazlewood and Pete Fordham for Bradfield. Alternatively please telephone 01473 890089.

Wildlearning Project - volunteers needed to support / host adult courses.
A range of courses, designed to broaden involvement and support for wildlife and conservation, is being offered throughout the county.  The courses will be run by experts, but volunteers are needed to support the running of the courses to ensure that all goes smoothly.  In return, volunteers will have the opportunity to benefit from the training at these and other courses. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Elizabeth Long, Wildlearning Training Co-ordinator on 01473 892430 or email elizabeth.long@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

New leaders needed for Foxburrow Watch club

This active Wildlife Watch club meets on the third Saturday of every month at Foxburrow Farm. Contact the Watch organiser on 01473 890089 (martha.cowell@suffolkwildlifetrust.org) or Jenny Kent on 01394 380113 for more information.See below for more details about becoming a Watch leader.

Help needed at centres

• Foxburrow Farm
  Foxburrow Farm is a working arable farm and home of the Sandlings sheep flock that graze the Sandlings heath.  The farm has a mosaic of habitats, including woodlands, ponds, meadows and an orchard.  We have over 5,000 children visit per year on school visits and run activity days and family events at weekends and during school holidays. 
  
  We are always in need of Education Assistants for school visits, family events and Watch Club (Sat mornings). Please ring Jenny Kent (01394 380113) to find out more.

Lackford Lakes
The newest of the Trust’s visitor centres (2002) Lackford Lakes is very busy throughout the year with school visits, children’s birthday parties, room hire and an extensive programme of wildlife activities.  The reserve attracts a huge variety of birds, dragonflies and other animals which you can enjoy regularly by helping support activities such as:

- running the reception and gift shop mid week/weekend
- publicity, press releases and help with mailings
- administration, general office and centre work
- co-ordinating the ‘wildlife birthday parties’ mainly at weekends
- school groups and sharing an interest in wildlife with children on activity days and with adults at events
- ‘Wild Bunch’ activities for 12-16year olds.  Leaders wanted to join a friendly team developing ‘hands on’ sessions run on the - 2nd Saturday of the month 10am-12.30pm
- wardening the site, particularly at weekends

For further information please contact:

Emma Kerridge  (Education Officer)               01284 728706

Joanna Jameson  (Centre Co-ordinator)         01284 728706

Joe Davis  (West Suffolk Sites Manager)         01284 728541

Midweek conservation teams

Midweek volunteer teams run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - they are a great way to learn new skills and meet people. A mini bus runs collections from Ipswich and takes you on to your area of work for the day. The work is varied and interesting and covers many different habitiats.

For further information about how you can get involved with the midweek team please contact Gee Harvey on 01473 718668 or SWT on 01473 890089.

General volunteering opportunities

- at nature reserves

- at SWT visitor centres

- with SWT local groups