18 March saw the beginning of a new wellbeing initiative with Northumberland Wildlife Trust at Northumberlandia. This is being held every third Wednesday of the month until October.
The sessions which take place between 11am and 2pm, aim to improve personal resilience and wellbeing by learning green skills together, and raising confidence and empowerment through connection to nature.
Jo Burke, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Nature and Wellbeing Officer commented:
“We ran these sessions last year and they were so popular we are running them again thanks to generous funding from The Legal & General Health Equity Fund.
“The natural world is so important for both our mental and physical health so, needless to say, I am really looking forward to seeing everybody’s love for nature blossom and grow.”
Pet owners urged to help keep wildlife and livestock safe this Spring
Pet owners are being urged to ensure that dogs and other pets are kept on a leash in Northumberland this summer, so that wildlife can be kept safe.
Sheep can be disturbed, while ground nesting birds such as curlews, corn bunting and skylarks are particularly at risk.
Northumberland Wildlife trust has suggested that dog owners can help wildlife if they:
- Keep dogs on short leads on nature reserves and the wider countryside
- Clean up after animals and dispose of dog waste in bins or at home
- Avoid using nature reserves if walking large groups of dogs
Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Director of Conservation commented:
“It’s great that so many people benefit from enjoying beautiful natural areas while out walking their dogs, but we urge responsibility and ask that they are kept under control and on a lead. Wildlife is suffering huge declines and dogs in wild places can cause problems, especially from February through to the end of Summer when many species are breeding.
“I’m a dog owner but never walk him without a lead during nesting season. It’s not only the impact on ground-nesting birds, but other wildlife including amphibians and mammals can be affected, as well as grazing livestock.
“We urge others to be vigilant for any out-of-control dogs, to prevent unnecessary suffering to sheep and resident wildlife, and to report suspicious activity on our reserves to the Police via 111. It is worth remembering that if a dog is seen worrying livestock, the landowner can legally destroy the animal.”
You must keep your dog on a lead no longer than two metres by law between 1 March and 31 July when on any open-access land to protect ground-nesting birds.
Wildlife charity celebrates nature heroes for a second year
Jean Cartman was a much-loved member of Northumberland Wildlife Trust for over 40 years, and her life is celebrated in the Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award.
The award goes to someone who is making a real difference for wildlife and nature in their local community. There is a top prize of £500 and two second prizes of £250.
The overall winners this year were Byker-based ‘Mind, Body, Planet’ for:
“Outstanding work creating accessible opportunities for everybody to connect with nature and each other.”
The two second place awards went to Shieldfield Grows and English for All.
Leo Hargreaves, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature Officer says:
“The Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award is more than just financial support, it is a wonderful celebration of grassroots action and a reminder that small, local efforts can lead to big change for people and the planet!
“We are so grateful to Mrs Cartman’s family for generously donating the prize money and providing a lasting legacy to such a wonderful supporter of wildlife and conservation.”
Celebrating Spring at Easter
Now that warmer weather is here and the days are growing longer, it is truly time to celebrate nature. So, on Saturday 11 April between 10:30am and 3:30pm, Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be hosting an Easter Celebration at its St Nicholas Park reserve in the grounds of St Nicholas Hospital, Newcastle.
Events include a nature craft stall and pond-dipping; they are free and everyone is very welcome.
For further information, please contact: Fiona Dryden, Communications Officer, (0191) 284 6884, fiona.dryden@northwt.org.uk
