Help The Borough's Biodiversity

There are a whole host of different ways in which you can become involved in nature conservation in the borough. Below are just a few suggestions depending on the time you have to devote, if you own any land or are particularly interested in a certain aspect of the natural world.

Volunteering

If you want to get your hands dirty, enjoy the fresh air and do something that really makes a difference, you may consider joining one of the practical conservation tasks that take place throughout the Borough all through the year. You may find yourself planting a new hedge, coppicing hazel in a bluebell wood or building an otter holt - all with expert tuition on hand to guide you!

Common Blue Butterfly

The Itchen Valley Volunteer Rangers work mainly at Itchen Valley Country Park, although some work is also carried out at other countryside sites throughout the Borough. To find out more contact:

David Payne on 023 8047 5086

BTCV task

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) is helping land owners and community groups carry out work to benefit biodiversity in the borough. To find a task near you or to suggest a new project please contact: Julia Fraser on 023 8076 9719 or j.fraser@btcv.org.uk

You can also write to: Community Projects Officer, BTCV Southern Central, Hampshire Office, Room 3, 2 Venture Road, Chilworth Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton, Hants, SO16 7NP.

Managing land for wildlife

If you own or manage land in the borough, have you thought about ways in which it could be improved for wildlife?

Hedge Laying

Hedge laying promotes vigorous growth and a

thick hedge

Eastleigh Borough Council has formed a new partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to provide wildlife land management advice. We can

make simple suggestions to encourage wildlife
help draft management plans
help find sources of grant funding for management works
put you in touch with volunteer groups

To talk to a Wildlife Trust advisor please contact: Rachel Urwin, Biodiversity Officer, Tel: 023 8068 8352 or e-mail rachel.urwin@eastleigh.gov.uk

Sources of Grant Funding

If you own a wood, or are thinking of expanding or planting one, grants are available to help from the Forestry Commission.

If you own or manage farmland, grazing land, wetlands and other areas of land you may be eligible for grants from the government to assist you in improving the wildlife value of your land. Advice is available from Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group or Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Natural History Societies & groups

If you're interested in learning a bit more about a particular part of biodiversity, for example butterflies or birds, joining a local natural history group could be for you. These are set up and run by people who share a common interest and visit sites to learn more and to record what they see. This data can help us to monitor how a particular species is fairing in the Borough and assist in its conservation.

Click on the links below to find out more about local groups that may interest you

Birds - Hampshire Ornithological Society

Bumblebees - The Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Butterflies and Moths - Butterfly Conservation: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch

Hampshire Wildlife Trust (includes contact details for Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, Hampshire Mammal Group, Hampshire Network for Invertebrate Conservation, and the Hampshire Flora Group)

Wildlife Recording

Your sightings are important. Recording the wildlife you see and reporting it allows organisations such as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre to establish and monitor the distribution of species. Find out more on the 'Wildlife Recording' page.

Wildlife Gardening

In Eastleigh, private gardens make up about 1,500 hectares of land (about 18% of the total area of the borough), a substantial area that could help to provide habitats in which wildlife will thrive. If you want to plant a new tree or shrub why not plant one that as well as looking attractive will provide a rich food source for butterflies, birds and mammals? Shrubs and trees such as rowan, hazel, buddleia, cotoneaster and hawthorn all provide flowers or fruits that fit the bill. Toads, frogs and newts will retreat to shady damp conditions provided by a pile of stones or logs and hedgehogs and birds will use purpose-built boxes. Find out more by contacting the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.

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Page Last Updated: 7/10/2008
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Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN
Telephone: 023 8068 8068, Fax: 023 8064 3952, Text: 07797 877001
Email:direct@eastleigh.gov.uk