Basingstoke Conservation Volunteers
Hands-on help for local wildlife

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Introducing Basingstoke Conservation Volunteers

Haymaking at Pamber Forest BCV carry out practical conservation projects around North Hampshire for the benefit of wildlife. The group was first founded in 1988 since when we have been helping to improve local reserves on most Sundays.

Most of the work is on nature reserves either owned or managed by Hampshire Wildlife Trust or the Council, although we sometimes work on private land where there is public access. Usually sites are local nature reserves and most are designated Sites of Special Scientifc Interest.

Tea break during a heathland restoration project at Pamber Forest

We carry out projects on most Sundays, the Winter being especially busy. Most of the work is light clearance tasks such as coppicing in woodland and scrub-bashing on downland sites. From time to time we have more creative work to do, such as hedge-laying, boardwalk construction and pond clearance.

Once or twice a year we go away for a weekend. This is a chance to get stuck into a major project, and meet up with old friends who have moved away from Basingstoke.

As well as the work-parties we also organise a busy programme of social events, such as going to the pub, skittles evenings, eating out and outdoor activities like walks, moth trapping and bird-watching.