October 10th
Yorkshire hosts the national Viva Veolia youth volunteering conference.
We must work together and continue to provide opportunities for young people to take part in environmental volunteering – this was the key message delivered at the Viva Veolia Youth Ranger conference held in Doncaster. The conference made it clear that the youth of today are passionate about conserving the environment and dedicated to enhancing it for people and wildlife.
The conference which was held at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserve Potteric Carr celebrated the completion of the Viva Veolia Youth Ranger programme which began in late 2007. The project overseen by The Wildlife Trusts was part of a national drive to encourage young people, between 16 and 25, to get involved in environmental volunteering. Co-funded by The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund and ‘V’ the youth volunteering charity, Viva Veolia was delivered by project officers at the following Wildlife Trusts: Yorkshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, London, Sheffield, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Sussex and Tees Valley.
Over a two year period, The Wildlife Trusts organised practical conservation workdays that offered lots of training opportunities including the nationally recognised environmental John Muir Award scheme.
Youth Volunteering Officer Joanne Hodgson said: “I volunteered at Potteric Carr helping with events - raising awareness about local wildlife. Now I am actually employed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust where I deliver family events in Selby. Volunteering has really provided me with lots of experience”.
The project has inspired and engaged over 1000 young environmental volunteers from all walks of life to take action in their local environment, and make a difference for wildlife conservation whilst learning new skills, growing in confidence and making friends. Over 50% of all Youth Rangers have progressed onto further training, employment or volunteering opportunities.
Youth Volunteering Officer Jo Meays said: “We have worked with a huge variety of young people on lots of practical work at Potteric Carr. We have created ‘sensory’ raised beds with easy access for all our visitors whilst also enhancing habitats for wildlife.”
Viva Veolia has been part of a wider flagship initiative undertaken by The Veolia Environmental Trust, which saw a total of £700,000 being awarded to leading environmental and conservation charities, to run schemes giving young volunteers the opportunity to improve the environment and develop new skills.
November 11th
Secrets of the sea emerge
Two sponge species – one previously unknown to science1 and one new to the UK2 – have been discovered during a diving expedition in UK waters. The Wildlife Trusts are celebrating the exciting finds the same week new legislation – the Marine and Coastal Access Act – is expected to be passed.
The marine sponges were discovered in the Isles of Scilly and examined by Dr Claire Goodwin, from National Museums Northern Ireland. Marine biologists and recreational divers found them during a week of exploratory diving as part of a Seasearch survey. More than 260 sponges were sampled during 12 dives. Sponges are important components of marine habitats; simple animals which attach themselves to rock.
A rare species of hydroid (a type of feathery-looking animal related to anemones) (Polyplumaria flabellata) was also recorded by expert Dr Keith Hiscock, from the Marine Biological Association, along with a new site for the rare and beautiful solitary sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti).
Seasearch divers David Kipling, Sarah Bowen and Emily Priestley discovered the sea slug, Discodoris rosi, crawling over the rocks. This bright orange sea slug has only ever been recorded twice before in the UK. It is usually normally found further south in the Atlantic.
For the last 20 years the marine environment has not been sustainably managed. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill, if effectively implemented, will provide the chance to conserve these rare and threatened species.
Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of Living Seas, said: “These finds are incredibly important and come as we celebrate the passage of the Marine and Coastal Access Act.
“Although some sites are well dived, there is still much we don’t know about the rich and diverse marine life we have around the UK. All the data collected during dives builds a better understanding of the unique and special marine environment, creating a stronger foundation to help conserve it for the future.
“We will continue to press for strengthened provisions for marine wildlife conservation as our challenge now is to achieve real change. New legislation is only the beginning. The decisions made, and actions taken, over the next five years will determine the future of the UK’s seas. This is a unique opportunity and we must seize it.”
The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, Stephanie Hilborne, added: “We are indebted to our many thousands of supporters and members, who have helped us to champion the Marine Bill over the past decade.
“We have a vision for the future of the UK’s seas – Living Seas. In Living Seas, wildlife thrives from the depths of the ocean to the coastal shallows.”
The Wildlife Trusts have campaigned for many years for new laws to provide better protection of marine habitats and wildlife, as well as improved management of activities at sea. In 2007, The Wildlife Trusts gathered more than 170,000 petition signatures in support of a Marine Bill, presented on fish scales (picture available) and passed them to the Secretary of State for the Environment at a campaign event in the House of Commons.