Join in and feel good, helping to improve some of Reading’s green and wooded spaces for improved biodiversity and help us create healthier happier communities for everyone.

After starting to run small-scale volunteer tasks with existing volunteers, we will soon be ready to open up our activities to new interested volunteers in Spring! To keep activities safe, please follow the latest government guidance and only volunteer if:

• you’re well
• nobody in your household has coronavirus symptoms (or awaiting a test result)
• you do not have any long-term health conditions that make you vulnerable to coronavirus

To keep everyone safe and minimise transmission risk, we will be disinfecting tools before and after use, not tool sharing, start the session with a thorough tool talk and risk assessment, encourage social distancing, offering regular hand sanitation breaks and running shorter sessions. Booking for each session is essential as we are capping numbers to reflect current guidance.

WHERE WILL THE REGULAR TUESDAY TASKS BE HELD?

The Woodland Improvement Team will be meeting every Tuesday at various sites across Caversham (Bugs Bottom and Clayfield Copse & Blackhouse Wood), Tilehurst (Blundell’s Copse), and Woodley (Aldermoors & Highwood Nature Reserve).

PROJECT AIMS:

The project aims to enhance Reading’s woodland sites for people and wildlife whilst connecting local communities with their local green spaces. The project will run for 3.5 years and involve various tasks such as:

• Tree planting
• Invasive species removal (rhododendron, laurel & snowberry)
• Bracken and bramble clearance
• Coppicing
• Sapling maintenance
• Ecological surveys (plants, birds, butterflies etc)
• Site maintenance
• Other habitat improvements

WHAT IS PROVIDED?

• Tools and equipment
• Work gloves for everyone (although you may wish to bring your own)
• Trained leader(s)
• First aid cover
• Public and personal liability insurance
• Refreshments (such as tea, coffee and biscuits) would normally be available (but during the pandemic, unfortunately, we are not able to provide these and instead request that you provide your own)

NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

You don’t need any special skills to join in, other than a willingness to get involved and have a go. We don’t ask for a commitment from anyone for more than a session at a time. We provide on-site, informal training and guidance.

WHAT TO BRING?

Please come prepared for the likely weather conditions on the day and wear suitable work clothes. We recommend sturdy boots and long-sleeved tops and trousers. If you require them, bring along your own waterproofs, camera, money and personal medication.

WHERE HAS FUNDING COME FROM?

This 3+ year project is being funded by Network Rail as part of the No Net Loss Biodiversity on the Great Western Programme – which seeks to compensate for any removal of habitat during railway upgrades. It is also supported by the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) and made possible thanks to Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils.

Volunteers 16+ are welcome but please note Under 18’s will need written consent from a parent or guardian