One group who have a great interest in our new reserve are the RSPB Local Groups. Across the country these groups set up and run activities, talks and events for people with an interest in conservation and birds, representing the RSPB and supporting our aims and cause. There are two groups operating in this area – the New Forest Group and the South Wiltshire Group. Both have very dedicated group leaders and committees, and are well supported and attended.
Having met the leaders for both groups previously, it felt like the right time to introduce them to the site, along with their committees. Eight of us spent a fantastic afternoon walking around the site and discussing how we could help one another. For them, the prospect of having another local reserve available for their members to visit, both informally and on organised group visits, was very enticing. For me, knowing that there are enthusiastic and supportive people willing to volunteer their time and energy to help set up the reserve is massively helpful.
I already have a few ideas about jobs I can involve them in, and several have offered their services as surveyors on the site. In return, I have already promised to give them a talk about the site at their AGMs. Many of them live locally, and having extra eyes and ears on the ground, as well as supportive voices within the community, will help us to understand more about how the local community use the site and feel about our involvement.
Photo 1: Members of the RSPB SOuth Wiltshire and New Forest Local Groups
If you want to find out more about the RSPB Local Groups, click below: South Wilts Local Group and New Forest Local Group
We were also delighted to host the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) to RSPB Franchises Lodge, with a range of work interest represented, from land advice, archaeology and volunteer development. The NPA have been instrumental in acquiring the reserve, both in identifying the opportunity and also part-funding the purchase. They have also been able to provide advice and support with our stakeholder engagement and work planning. So it was a pleasure to host them on site and talk more about how we can make RSPB Franchises even better for wildlife and for people. It was also a good opportunity for me to learn more about the work they do and how we can support that.
The NPA seek to protect, enjoy and prosper, and we hope we can achieve all of these things on site. Our main focus is to protect the ecological value of the site by conserving and enhancing it. We will look for opportunities to promote greater understanding and enjoyment of the site in a way that doesn’t impact on the species and habitats found there. And we hope to work with local communities to understand how the reserve can contribute to the social and cultural values of the area, especially where we can support commoning activities.
Photo 2: NPA discover some of the wildlife that calls RSPB Franchises Lodge home.