The Conservation Volunteers are celebrating the hard work of over 40 volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre this year, as they complete a series of improvements to promote biodiversity and visitor access. The Skelton Grange Wild Area Project will be completed with a final volunteer event in the traditional countryside skill of hedgelaying, on Thursday the 27th of February from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. New volunteers are welcome to come and take part and to see all the other great work that has been carried out.
The Skelton Grange Wild Area project has improved the experience of visitors to the wildlife area at Skelton Grange Environment Centre and been supported by a grant of £16,635 from Biffa Award. 42 volunteers have already carried out almost 240 days of work between them – improving access routes, managing ponds and meadows and improving outdoor classroom spaces, as well as lots of work on the young woodlands at the centre. The centre is a partnership between The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and National Grid, with support from Leeds City Council.
“The work carried out will make a real difference to biodiversity at the centre, but it has also improved the site for visitors, with new paths and a beautiful new mosaic” explained project officer Toby Roberts. “It has also been a great opportunity for the volunteers to learn lots of new skills – and to welcome new people to our regular volunteer team.”
Practical volunteer days happen every Friday at Skelton Grange. These are open to adult volunteers of any level of experience, with leaders who support and train new volunteers in the skills to improve the site for wildlife and for visitors. For more details about volunteering at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, please contact skelton@tcv.org.uk, or call the centre on 0113 2430815.