Two Salisbury volunteer nature groups awarded grants from WSBRC
It's the first grants from a new scheme to boost wildlife recording in Wiltshire
Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre’s (WSBRC) first grants from a new scheme aimed at boosting wildlife recording and environmental education have been handed to nature groups in Salisbury.
The recipients are The Salisbury & District Natural History Society and Codford Hedgehog Project.
The grants scheme, which launched in March, seeks to support and encourage efforts to improve biological records in Wiltshire.
John Isherwood, WSBRC manager said: “The grants will help fund equipment which will be used for environmental education and species monitoring. The valuable data collected will be sent back to WSBRC and will add to the biological evidence base we hold for the county.”
John added he hopes to be able to grant regular awards to different biological groups in the future.
Youngster's a key focus
The Salisbury & District Natural History Society’s Peter Thompson said he is keen to engage with young people in the hope of sparking a lifelong interest in the environment. This has been backed up by The Society recently setting up a junior membership category.
“Last year, we held an event that 164 children and 67 adults attended, which shows that there is a huge demand. However, we borrowed all the equipment for the event. This funding means we can buy our own equipment and hold many more of these events.
“Of particular importance is to get children outside to experience wildlife first hand.”
He added the topmost aim was to be bring people together with nature, allowing them to see the wide range of biodiversity in and around Salisbury.