4Bs Nature Conservation
The Power of Community Action for Nature
The most tangible expression of people caring for nature is when a group of people voluntarily come together to work on behalf of nature. Such community groups carry out the quiet, essential tasks that keep landscapes healthy: clearing invasive scrub from grassland, maintaining footpaths, coppicing woodland, restoring ponds, planting hedgerows, and monitoring the species that depend on these spaces. They connect people with nature and particular places, foster pride in local nature, and prove that the health of our wild spaces is strongest when it’s held in many hands.
The most tangible expression of people caring for nature is when a group of people voluntarily come together to work on behalf of nature. Such community groups carry out the quiet, essential tasks that keep landscapes healthy: clearing invasive scrub from grassland, maintaining footpaths, coppicing woodland, restoring ponds, planting hedgerows, and monitoring the species that depend on these spaces. They connect people with nature and particular places, foster pride in local nature, and prove that the health of our wild spaces is strongest when it’s held in many hands.
Call to Action
In collaboration with Simon Humphreys, Surrey Wildlife Trust Voluntary Reserve Manager at Dawcombe & Fraser Down Nature Reserves, the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative is aiming to establish a 4B Nature Conservation Group of volunteers.
The first task of this group will be to clear the beautiful chalk grassland near the Lime Kilns below Betchworth Quarry. This site is home to three species of orchid - common spotted-orchid, pyramidal orchid and bee orchid. There are also legumes such as horseshoe and kidney vetch, and bird's-foot trefoil all of which are an important food source for butterflies. Other wildflowers on this site include: wild thyme, cowslip, wild marjoram, greater knapweed, salad burnet, wild carrot, dropwort and small scabious.
By clearing the scrub we will create better conditions for wildflowers to grow which will support a healthy population of invertebrates including bumble and solitary bees and butterflies such as the Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue and Adonis butterflies.
In collaboration with Simon Humphreys, Surrey Wildlife Trust Voluntary Reserve Manager at Dawcombe & Fraser Down Nature Reserves, the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative is aiming to establish a 4B Nature Conservation Group of volunteers.
The first task of this group will be to clear the beautiful chalk grassland near the Lime Kilns below Betchworth Quarry. This site is home to three species of orchid - common spotted-orchid, pyramidal orchid and bee orchid. There are also legumes such as horseshoe and kidney vetch, and bird's-foot trefoil all of which are an important food source for butterflies. Other wildflowers on this site include: wild thyme, cowslip, wild marjoram, greater knapweed, salad burnet, wild carrot, dropwort and small scabious.
By clearing the scrub we will create better conditions for wildflowers to grow which will support a healthy population of invertebrates including bumble and solitary bees and butterflies such as the Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue and Adonis butterflies.
FIRST MEETING OF 4B NATURE CONSERVATION GROUP
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1 st 10.ooam - 15.00pm at the Lime Kiln Betchworth Quarry
If you would like to join this inaugural nature conservation event please email Amanda Lowe at [email protected] Further details about where to meet and what to bring will be provided by email. Places are limited and are offered on a first come basis. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible supervising adult.
You don’t need experience or any special skills or knowledge to be a conservation volunteer. It’s rewarding and satisfying, and it provides an opportunity to get fresh air and exercise in the company of other like-minded people while a lot of valuable work gets done. There are regular breaks to chat and enjoy a cuppa while appreciating the views.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1 st 10.ooam - 15.00pm at the Lime Kiln Betchworth Quarry
If you would like to join this inaugural nature conservation event please email Amanda Lowe at [email protected] Further details about where to meet and what to bring will be provided by email. Places are limited and are offered on a first come basis. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible supervising adult.
You don’t need experience or any special skills or knowledge to be a conservation volunteer. It’s rewarding and satisfying, and it provides an opportunity to get fresh air and exercise in the company of other like-minded people while a lot of valuable work gets done. There are regular breaks to chat and enjoy a cuppa while appreciating the views.
Contributing to something bigger
The 4Bs lies within and adjacent to Surrey Wildlife Trust's, North Downs Landscape Recovery Area connecting the urbanised areas of Dorking and Reigate. The conservation work outlined above will contribute to the network of fragmented chalk grassland priority habitats between Dorking and Reigate, strengthening local nature recovery and resilience to climate change.
