The Conservation Volunteers have an action packed autumn lined up for eager volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre this autumn. The Friday Green team will be carrying out a range of practical tasks to improve the urban nature area for wildlife and for visitors. New and experienced volunteers are all welcome to join in with work on the ponds, woodland and hedgerows, at the centre, and will be helping to improve these valuable habitats, just two miles from Leeds City Centre.
This work is part of the Skelton Grange Wild Area project – supported by a grant of £16,635 from Biffa Award, which aims to improve the experience of visitors to the wildlife area at Skelton Grange Environment Centre. 35 volunteers have already carried out almost 150 days of work between them – improving access routes, installing new mushroom seats in a woodland classroom, and learning to use traditional scythes to manage the wildflower meadows.
“The work we do with the Green Team will make a real difference to the children who visit the centre, as well as the wildlife that lives here”, explained project officer Toby Roberts. “It’s also been a fantastic opportunity for people to get hands on and learn new practical skills – learning to use a scythe has been a real highlight so far!”
The Green Team volunteer days take place every Friday at Skelton Grange, with tasks varying each week. The group is open to adult volunteers of any level of experience, with sessions led by experienced leaders who support and train new volunteers in the skills to improve the site for wildlife and for visitors. The Skelton Grange site is used by over 5,000 children from Leeds and Wakefield each year, to discover more about wildlife and enjoy the chance to play in green space. The centre is a partnership between The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and National Grid, with support from Leeds City Council.
For more information visit https://www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange/volunteering
