EVENTS, SURVEYS & OTHER ACTIVITIES
for the residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hil
for the residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hil
We respect nature, the environment and the people who own and work the land
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EVENTS 2025
JANUARY
Our first theme of 2025 will be our wild birds. We will encourage the members of our WhatsApp Nature group to share their practice and methods of caring for wildbirds in the winter, and encourage residents to contribute to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and build a photo gallery/movie of the birds we spot.
FREE TALK
Thursday 23 January, Betchworth Village Hall 7.30-8.30pm (tea/coffee from 7.15)
Wild Birds of the 4Bs: From chalk cliffs to the River Mole and everything in between
Glenn Carmichael RSPB Dorking and District Local Group
January is an important month for bird watching because of the annual Big Garden Birdwatch survey. Local bird watcher Glen will give a talk on the birds that live in or visit our area. Largely based on photos of local birds, he will show the commoner species that can be seen and share tips on how they might be identified. He will discuss some of the key habitats in the area and cover the resident birds and both summer and winter visitors. He will also introduce the RSPB big garden birdwatch and explain how you can get involved.
Visit our Wild Birds of the 4Bs page
FEBRUARY
Sunday Feb 2nd
Following Glenn Carmichaels talk in January, he will lead a bird spotting walk around Buckland Park Lake for residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill. To reserve a place email [email protected]
Sunday Feb 2nd
Following Glenn Carmichaels talk in January, he will lead a bird spotting walk around Buckland Park Lake for residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill. To reserve a place email [email protected]
APRIL
FREE TALK
FRIDAY APRIL 25, 2025 BOXHILL VILLAGE HALL 6.30 - 8.00pm
Wild Birds of the 4Bs: From Boxhill to the River Mole and everything in between
Glenn Carmichael RSPB Dorking and District Local Group
Local bird enthusiast and keen bird watcher Glenn Carmichael will give a talk on the birds that live in or visit our area. Largely based on photos of local birds, he will show the commoner species that can be seen and share tips on how they might be identified. He will discuss some of the key habitats in the area and cover the residents and both summer and winter visitors.
Glenn has also offered to lead a bird watching walk on Boxhill and to work with any residents who would like to contribute to a survey of the area.
The talk is sponsored by the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative. It is for residents of Boxhill but residents of Buckland, Betchworth and Brockham are also welcome.
To reserve a place email biodiversityinitiative1@gmail.com or email [email protected]
FREE TALK
FRIDAY APRIL 25, 2025 BOXHILL VILLAGE HALL 6.30 - 8.00pm
Wild Birds of the 4Bs: From Boxhill to the River Mole and everything in between
Glenn Carmichael RSPB Dorking and District Local Group
Local bird enthusiast and keen bird watcher Glenn Carmichael will give a talk on the birds that live in or visit our area. Largely based on photos of local birds, he will show the commoner species that can be seen and share tips on how they might be identified. He will discuss some of the key habitats in the area and cover the residents and both summer and winter visitors.
Glenn has also offered to lead a bird watching walk on Boxhill and to work with any residents who would like to contribute to a survey of the area.
The talk is sponsored by the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative. It is for residents of Boxhill but residents of Buckland, Betchworth and Brockham are also welcome.
To reserve a place email biodiversityinitiative1@gmail.com or email [email protected]
JUNE
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Saturday June 07th 10.00-16.00
Invitation to visit Paul and Clare Ritchie's wonderful wildlife habitats garden. A great place to discover new ways to help nature flourish. |
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Tuesday June 10th
Re-Betchworth Group Visit to Knepp—Walk on the Wild Side
For details visit https://www.re-betchworth.org/Articles/711364/Group_visits_to.aspx
Re-Betchworth Group Visit to Knepp—Walk on the Wild Side
For details visit https://www.re-betchworth.org/Articles/711364/Group_visits_to.aspx
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Sunday June 15th 14.00-16.00
Join us for our annual Wildflower & Pollinator Wander email biodiversityinitiative1@gmail to reserve a place on this walk |
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JULY
July 14-21st Bees Needs Week - join our bee awareness activities and bee survey on the 4Bs Nature Whatsapp Group
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FREE TALK During national bees needs week
THURSDAY JULY 17th, BETCHWORTH VILLAGE HALL 7.30 - 8.30pm Plight of the Bumblebee Peter Smith The UK has 24 species of Bumblebee. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting food webs. They are among the most effective pollinators and therefore essential to sustaining many ecosystems but they are under threat. Entomologist, bee keeper and enthusiast Peter Smith, will introduce you to the wonderful world of bumblebees, their habits and habitats, the problems they face and some of the ways we can help them flourish. The talk is sponsored by the Betchworth & Buckland Society. It is for residents of Betchworth, Buckland, Brockham and Boxhill.To reserve a place email Norman at biodiversityinitiative1@gmail.com |
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AUGUST
Our Big Butterfly Count continues until August 10th
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Wednesday August 6th
An evening guided tour of Brockham Nature reserve, led by local ecologist Paul Ritchie |
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Saturday August 9th
Learn how to Scythe in Re-Betchworth's hands-on practical workshop Scything is the best way to mow wildflower areas, hugely satisfying and surprisingly easy once you have established a good rhythm. Book now to learn how at our highly subsidised workshop, again run by Mary Ellis who teaches all over the South East.
Learn how to Scythe in Re-Betchworth's hands-on practical workshop Scything is the best way to mow wildflower areas, hugely satisfying and surprisingly easy once you have established a good rhythm. Book now to learn how at our highly subsidised workshop, again run by Mary Ellis who teaches all over the South East.
Tuesday August 19th. & 26th
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Two practical seminars on how to create and manage wildlife habitats in your garden given by local ecologist Paul Ritchie. The seminars will take place in his garden.
4Bs Pond Survey
Please join our survey to discover how many garden ponds we have in the 4Bs. CLICK HERE SEPTEMBER Friday 05th September International Bat Night, to raise awareness of these fascnating creatures, is celebrated on August 30th and this year we are marking the occassion we are organising a nightime bat walk led by ecologist and bat survey expert Josh Brown. Pond Survey Join our 4Bs survey of ponds 
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OCTOBER
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Thursday October 16 7.30-8.45pm
Ponds for Nature, Betchworth Village Hall As part of our programme of work on ponds, our very own resident ecologist Paul Ritchie will provide an illustrated talk on why ponds are so important for wildlife. During the talk we will share the results of our ponds for nature survey. To reserve a place, please email [email protected] |
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NOVEMBER
Conservation Taster Morning, Sun 30th November 10am-1pm
Fraser Down Nature Reserve
Organised & Led by Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Site Manager
Dawcombe & Fraser Down Nature Reserves Surrey Wildlife Trust
The Conservation Taster is for anyone who is interested in having a go at practical conservation work. There will be opportunities for you to try your hand at some of the habitat management work we do at Fraser Down. There will also be a brief guided tour of part of the nature reserve to learn about its wildlife and management. Children are welcome, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. All tools, gloves, etc are provided. Anyone from 4Bs is welcome to come along. Best of all it's free of charge!
Places are limited so please message me or email [email protected] to book and for further details of where to meet, etc.
Conservation Taster Morning, Sun 30th November 10am-1pm
Fraser Down Nature Reserve
Organised & Led by Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Site Manager
Dawcombe & Fraser Down Nature Reserves Surrey Wildlife Trust
The Conservation Taster is for anyone who is interested in having a go at practical conservation work. There will be opportunities for you to try your hand at some of the habitat management work we do at Fraser Down. There will also be a brief guided tour of part of the nature reserve to learn about its wildlife and management. Children are welcome, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. All tools, gloves, etc are provided. Anyone from 4Bs is welcome to come along. Best of all it's free of charge!
Places are limited so please message me or email [email protected] to book and for further details of where to meet, etc.
EVENTS IN 2024
APRIL
14 April - 14 May 4B’s Bluebell & Wild Garlic Survey
We want to create a map of the significant patches of bluebells – greater than 10 sq metres in our area. Our team will be out and about and we welcome observations and contributions from members of our Nature Whatsapp Group to create a map on Google Earth to show the distribution of significant patches of bluebells and wild garlic.
14 April - 14 May 4B’s Bluebell & Wild Garlic Survey
We want to create a map of the significant patches of bluebells – greater than 10 sq metres in our area. Our team will be out and about and we welcome observations and contributions from members of our Nature Whatsapp Group to create a map on Google Earth to show the distribution of significant patches of bluebells and wild garlic.
Saturday 27 April - 10am-12.30 Wildflower Wander #1
Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Reserve Manager, will provide a guided walk at Surrey Wildlife Trust's Fraser Down Nature Reserve on Pebble Hill. Join, for a guided walk at this stunning nature reserve which is not normally open to the public. Cowslips should be at their peak and early butterflies on the wing. Please note the ground is steep and uneven in places. Places are limited due to the sensitivity of the site so booking is essential by emailing [email protected] (details of where to meet/park will be sent once booked).
Not just No Mow May but No Mow Summer
It’s a sacrifice for those of you who enjoy a nicely cut lawn but we we encourage you to leave at least part of your lawn uncut from May to September to enable wildflowers in your seedbank to flourish and provide extra nutrition for insect pollinators. Please send us photos of your mini-meadows with wildflowers, and pollinators enjoying them, and we will turn them into a celbratory movie.
4Bs Gardening for Biodiversity Talks
We are offering three, free, face to face talks in the communities of Betchworth & Buckland, Brockham and Box Hill. The illustrated talks will be given by the well-known local wildlife gardener and nature activist Paul Ritchie.
TALK DATES & VENUES
1 BROCKHAM - Monday May 13th Brockham Village Hall 7.00 – 9.00pm with refreshments
2 BOX HILL Monday May 20th Box Hill Village Hall 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
3 BETCHWORTH Wednesday May 29th Hamilton Room Betchworth 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
4 BUCKLAND Tuesday June 18th 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
JUNE
Sat 8th June, 2pm - 4.30pm Wildflower Wander #2
Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Reserve Manager, will provide a second guided walk at Surrey Wildlife Trust's stunning Fraser Down Nature Reserve on Pebble Hill. The reserve is not normally open to the public. Orchids and lots of other wild flowers should be in full bloom. Please note the ground is steep and uneven in places. Places are limited due to the sensitivity of the site so booking is essential by emailing [email protected] (details of where to meet/park will be sent once booked).
Monday 10th June 6-8pm & Monday 24th June 6-8pm
‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ An opportunity to visit the 'Ritchie's Wildlife Wonderland Garden' in Brockham
Following Paul Ritchie's Gardening for Biodiversity talks, this is an opportunity to visit his amazing garden in Brockham, to see many practical examples of how we can enhance biodiversity and create an environment within which wildlife can flourish, while providing food for the table. Maximum group size is 12. There is no cost. To register for the visit please email Norman [email protected]
8-25th June – 4B’s Pond Survey
During and after the week of British Dragonfly Society’s (BDS) pond watch (June 8th-9th) we will conduct, with the help of members of the WhatsApp Nature Group, a survey of ponds across the 4B communities. We also encouraged 4B residents to create their own pond, Read More
JULY
Saturday July 6th Wildflower & Insect Pollinator Wander 2 to 4pm
A tour of two gardens in the Betchworth B-Line where wildflower meadows are being cultivated to enhance biodiversity and support insect pollinators. Maximum group size is 20. To reserve a place please email Norman at [email protected]
Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Reserve Manager, will provide a guided walk at Surrey Wildlife Trust's Fraser Down Nature Reserve on Pebble Hill. Join, for a guided walk at this stunning nature reserve which is not normally open to the public. Cowslips should be at their peak and early butterflies on the wing. Please note the ground is steep and uneven in places. Places are limited due to the sensitivity of the site so booking is essential by emailing [email protected] (details of where to meet/park will be sent once booked).
Not just No Mow May but No Mow Summer
It’s a sacrifice for those of you who enjoy a nicely cut lawn but we we encourage you to leave at least part of your lawn uncut from May to September to enable wildflowers in your seedbank to flourish and provide extra nutrition for insect pollinators. Please send us photos of your mini-meadows with wildflowers, and pollinators enjoying them, and we will turn them into a celbratory movie.
4Bs Gardening for Biodiversity Talks
We are offering three, free, face to face talks in the communities of Betchworth & Buckland, Brockham and Box Hill. The illustrated talks will be given by the well-known local wildlife gardener and nature activist Paul Ritchie.
TALK DATES & VENUES
1 BROCKHAM - Monday May 13th Brockham Village Hall 7.00 – 9.00pm with refreshments
2 BOX HILL Monday May 20th Box Hill Village Hall 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
3 BETCHWORTH Wednesday May 29th Hamilton Room Betchworth 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
4 BUCKLAND Tuesday June 18th 7.00-9.00pm with refreshments
JUNE
Sat 8th June, 2pm - 4.30pm Wildflower Wander #2
Simon Humphreys, Voluntary Reserve Manager, will provide a second guided walk at Surrey Wildlife Trust's stunning Fraser Down Nature Reserve on Pebble Hill. The reserve is not normally open to the public. Orchids and lots of other wild flowers should be in full bloom. Please note the ground is steep and uneven in places. Places are limited due to the sensitivity of the site so booking is essential by emailing [email protected] (details of where to meet/park will be sent once booked).
Monday 10th June 6-8pm & Monday 24th June 6-8pm
‘Gardening for Biodiversity’ An opportunity to visit the 'Ritchie's Wildlife Wonderland Garden' in Brockham
Following Paul Ritchie's Gardening for Biodiversity talks, this is an opportunity to visit his amazing garden in Brockham, to see many practical examples of how we can enhance biodiversity and create an environment within which wildlife can flourish, while providing food for the table. Maximum group size is 12. There is no cost. To register for the visit please email Norman [email protected]
8-25th June – 4B’s Pond Survey
During and after the week of British Dragonfly Society’s (BDS) pond watch (June 8th-9th) we will conduct, with the help of members of the WhatsApp Nature Group, a survey of ponds across the 4B communities. We also encouraged 4B residents to create their own pond, Read More
JULY
Saturday July 6th Wildflower & Insect Pollinator Wander 2 to 4pm
A tour of two gardens in the Betchworth B-Line where wildflower meadows are being cultivated to enhance biodiversity and support insect pollinators. Maximum group size is 20. To reserve a place please email Norman at [email protected]
8 to 14 July Bees’ Needs Week & 4B’s Bee Survey
Bees’ Needs Week is an annual event coordinated by Defra. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of these pollinators, and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help bees and other pollinators to thrive.
Bees’ Needs Week is an annual event coordinated by Defra. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of these pollinators, and share ideas, actions and activities that highlight the ways in which everyone can help bees and other pollinators to thrive.
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8 to 14 July Dragonfly Week
The annual celebration of Dragonflies. We made a film to celebrate our dragonflies. |
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12 July to 4th August Big Butterfly Count
The Big Butterfly Count 12 July-4 August is the biggest citizen science survey of its kind and help us assess how well some of the UK’s most common butterflies and day-flying moths are doing. We will undertake our own survey of butterflies as a contribution to BBC and encourage residents to join this important national survey. To see the results of our survey CLICK HERE |
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AUGUST
16-17 August Nightime Moth Survey
A night light and moth trap will be set up, filmed and posted on our YouTube channel.
30 August 10.00 to 12.30 Try your hand at Scything on Goulburn Green, Betchworth
Re-Betchworth needs your help to ‘mow’ the wildflower strip on Goulburn Green. Scything is by far the best way to cut wildflowers, leaving no shreds to inadvertently enrich the soil. It’s hugely satisfying too, and surprisingly easy once you have established a good rhythm. If you are growing a wildflower meadow, have grassland near water or simply want to sustainably manage an area of interest, this the perfect maintenance tool. Some of those who attended last year’s scything workshop and learnt under Mary Ellis will be bringing their scythes and demonstrating the technique on Goulburn Green, Betchworth on Saturday 30 August from 10.00. If you would like a taster, come and try your hand, enjoy some refreshments and the banter!
16-17 August Nightime Moth Survey
A night light and moth trap will be set up, filmed and posted on our YouTube channel.
30 August 10.00 to 12.30 Try your hand at Scything on Goulburn Green, Betchworth
Re-Betchworth needs your help to ‘mow’ the wildflower strip on Goulburn Green. Scything is by far the best way to cut wildflowers, leaving no shreds to inadvertently enrich the soil. It’s hugely satisfying too, and surprisingly easy once you have established a good rhythm. If you are growing a wildflower meadow, have grassland near water or simply want to sustainably manage an area of interest, this the perfect maintenance tool. Some of those who attended last year’s scything workshop and learnt under Mary Ellis will be bringing their scythes and demonstrating the technique on Goulburn Green, Betchworth on Saturday 30 August from 10.00. If you would like a taster, come and try your hand, enjoy some refreshments and the banter!
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
Gardening for Biodiversity: Invitation to cultivate some wildflowers for Insect Pollinators
The Gardening for Biodiversity Initiative will provide enough native wildflower seed to sow a small plot of up to 10 sq meters (30 grams). Smaller amounts of seed will be provided if you only have a small plot or pot. Our 1 square metre of wildflower meadow campaign is part of this initiative and we will be providing small packs of seed at the October Apple Fest to anyone who wants to join in.
The seed will need to be sown in September 2024 for flowers in spring and summer 2025. The initiative is for anyone living in Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill. To apply for seed, please email [email protected] with your name & address and the size of the area for wildflower cultivation.
Bat Night (date to be confirmed)
Bat specialist and ecologist Josh Brown will help us understand and appreciate our bats how and where they live and their nocturnal habits. The highlight will be an evening walk at one of the best locations for seeing bats in the 4B’s area and a demonstration of the equipment used to detect and identify bat species.
Fraser Down Nature Reserve Wander (date to be confirmed)
This is the third walk with Volunteer Warden Simon Humphreys to view the management practices on this private reserve. This visit will focus on conservation grazing.
Saturday 28 September Surrey Nature Day - East Horsley Place - Free entry
Join the Surrey Nature Recovery team at West Horsley Place, on Saturday 28 September from 10am to 5pm for a day of nature-themed, family fun. Meet representatives from some of the important organisations involved with nature recovery in Surrey and talk to them about what they are doing to help ‘bring wildlife home. And, book tickets to our main event, Wild Walks, an original piece of theatre produced and directed by Guildford Shakespeare Company. LINK TO WEBSITE
Saturday 05 October Re-Betchworth Apple Fest Betchworth Village Hall 13.00-16.00
Bring your apples and we will press them to make apple juice. Apple Fest is a day for all the family, whether or not you’re expecting a bumper apple crop! As well as apple pressing there will be juice sales and kids’ activities, with delicious freshly pressed juice, cakes, puds, tea and coffees on offer all afternoon. Plus, a whole host of new attractions for this year’s event at Betchworth Village Memorial Hall where the outside space will be transformed into a veritable carnival of apples and nature-related activities for the whole family to enjoy. Please dont forget to visit our Biodiversity Initiative table to say hello and find out more about our initiative. FIND OUT MORE Re-Betchworth Apple Fest Betchworth Village Hall
Thursday 17 October ‘Creating Garden-Scale Woodland Habitats’
Paul Ritchie Betchworth Village Hall 7.30-8.30pm
In this Gardening for Biodiversity talk, local ecologist and nature activist Paul Ritchie will draw upon 30 years of experience in open space management and 40 years conserving woodlands and ancient trees to suggest ways in which we might create small-scale woodland habitats in our own gardens. The talk will consider 'forest gardening' as a method of making space for nature, growing food and creating a restful haven for people ... a true ARK. A recording of this talk is available.
Gardening for Biodiversity: Invitation to cultivate some wildflowers for Insect Pollinators
The Gardening for Biodiversity Initiative will provide enough native wildflower seed to sow a small plot of up to 10 sq meters (30 grams). Smaller amounts of seed will be provided if you only have a small plot or pot. Our 1 square metre of wildflower meadow campaign is part of this initiative and we will be providing small packs of seed at the October Apple Fest to anyone who wants to join in.
The seed will need to be sown in September 2024 for flowers in spring and summer 2025. The initiative is for anyone living in Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill. To apply for seed, please email [email protected] with your name & address and the size of the area for wildflower cultivation.
Bat Night (date to be confirmed)
Bat specialist and ecologist Josh Brown will help us understand and appreciate our bats how and where they live and their nocturnal habits. The highlight will be an evening walk at one of the best locations for seeing bats in the 4B’s area and a demonstration of the equipment used to detect and identify bat species.
Fraser Down Nature Reserve Wander (date to be confirmed)
This is the third walk with Volunteer Warden Simon Humphreys to view the management practices on this private reserve. This visit will focus on conservation grazing.
Saturday 28 September Surrey Nature Day - East Horsley Place - Free entry
Join the Surrey Nature Recovery team at West Horsley Place, on Saturday 28 September from 10am to 5pm for a day of nature-themed, family fun. Meet representatives from some of the important organisations involved with nature recovery in Surrey and talk to them about what they are doing to help ‘bring wildlife home. And, book tickets to our main event, Wild Walks, an original piece of theatre produced and directed by Guildford Shakespeare Company. LINK TO WEBSITE
Saturday 05 October Re-Betchworth Apple Fest Betchworth Village Hall 13.00-16.00
Bring your apples and we will press them to make apple juice. Apple Fest is a day for all the family, whether or not you’re expecting a bumper apple crop! As well as apple pressing there will be juice sales and kids’ activities, with delicious freshly pressed juice, cakes, puds, tea and coffees on offer all afternoon. Plus, a whole host of new attractions for this year’s event at Betchworth Village Memorial Hall where the outside space will be transformed into a veritable carnival of apples and nature-related activities for the whole family to enjoy. Please dont forget to visit our Biodiversity Initiative table to say hello and find out more about our initiative. FIND OUT MORE Re-Betchworth Apple Fest Betchworth Village Hall
Thursday 17 October ‘Creating Garden-Scale Woodland Habitats’
Paul Ritchie Betchworth Village Hall 7.30-8.30pm
In this Gardening for Biodiversity talk, local ecologist and nature activist Paul Ritchie will draw upon 30 years of experience in open space management and 40 years conserving woodlands and ancient trees to suggest ways in which we might create small-scale woodland habitats in our own gardens. The talk will consider 'forest gardening' as a method of making space for nature, growing food and creating a restful haven for people ... a true ARK. A recording of this talk is available.
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4Bs Nature Magazine
Our Magazine describes some of our Gardening for Biodiversity projects and celebrates some of our achievements READ MORE |
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