Workers ditch day jobs for wildlife

DURING the past year more than 240 blue chip workers have ditched their day jobs to help clear areas the equivalent of nine football pitches of scrub in the name of conservation.

DURING the past year more than 240 blue chip workers have ditched their day jobs to help clear areas the equivalent of nine football pitches of scrub in the name of conservation.

Through a project with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, workers based in the county from companies including Aviva, Barclays, HSBC and Breckland Council have together accumulated 1,540 hours of work on the trust's reserves.

Nine hectares, the equivalent to about nine football pitches, have been cleared of scrub, small trees and sedge to benefit important habitats at nature reserves around the county. Coppicing was undertaken at Wayland Wood and six pingos were cleared and restored at Thompson Common.

Brendan Joyce, director of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: 'Local businesses always exceed our expectations in the amount of work they are able to carry out. Corporate work parties are a huge help to the trust's on the ground management work.'

He said there were more opportunities for companies to take part in corporate work parties which can involve practical conservation such as clearing scrub, cutting or planting trees and fence construction, or fundraising activities and local events.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust was established in 1926 and it now cares for 50 nature reserves and other protected sites around the county including 10 kilometres of coastline, nine Norfolk broads, nine National Nature Reserves and five ancient woodlands.

For more information contact Jane Ryan on 01603 625540.