You might have noticed that we’ve been talking about a lot of events this summer – things like the Big Wild Sleep Out (who could forget!), mothy coffee, summer fun activity afternoons and bat walks included. These are just a few of the many exciting things we do here at Coombes – our ‘on-site’ event programme, details of which can be found on our webpage.
What you might not know is that we also go ‘off-site’ a lot (thrilling!) to various local spots in order to promote the reserve and the work we do. This involves the visitor team (Mark, Rachel and I, and often one or more other willing volunteers) packing up our marquees and venturing out to chat to people whilst doing various wildlife-friendly activities with them.
Mark, Holly and I at an offsite event (at easter!) - image by Michelle Collier
Both our on-site and off-site events are crucial parts of the work we do here at Coombes. Not only do they generate more lovely RSPB members so that we can keep doing our active conservation work on the reserve and throughout the country, but I like to think that every person we talk to is more likely to go on to make changes for the better.
For instance, you might have noticed our new TV advert for our biggest ever promotional campaign – ‘Giving Nature a Home’. I’ve been talking to people about this a lot over the past couple of weeks, and what has surprised me is that very few people are aware of the problems the country’s wildlife is facing.
With the shocking statistics published in the State of Nature Report making very grim reading for many of our best loved garden species, including hedgehogs and butterflies, every person we talk to about this, whether they join us as a member or not, has a vital part to play. If everyone were aware of this and willing to make small changes, we should see these declines start to slow, and hopefully, given time, reverse. But as it stands, there are still a lot of people to reach.
Hedgehog image by David Kjaer (rspb-images.com)
So every time I make a bug hotel, a butterfly feeder or nest box with someone at an off-site event, I hope that they are thinking a little more about how to make homes for nature in their garden. Likewise, whenever we have a group of kids on-site to pond dip, or take people on a ‘creatures of the night’ walk, I want them to feel a little more connected with nature. This is our ultimate goal as an organisation, and lies at the heart of everything we do here at Coombes Valley.
So I hope to see you soon, either here at Coombes for one of our fantastic summer activities, or at one of our offsite events for wildlife crafts or a chat. Even if you can’t make it, everyone has their part to play to Give Nature a Home in the UK – for tips on ways to create homes for nature on your garden, see our website.