main content Taking small steps for planet life

You don’t have to go to the Moon and planets of the solar system to seek out unusual organisms! Even a trip to Norman Park can reveal some amazing ‘beings’ at your fingertips. Residents are invited to explore the world of nature conservation work on Borough soil during the ‘Taste of the Wild’ Action Weekend (30 September to 2 October 2005). A display promoting the weekend is located at Bromley Central Library.

Ishpi Blatchley, member of Orpington Field Club said “It's amazing what you can find if you make time to take a closer look. An exquisite miniature world of fascinating plants can be found in our gardens and popular recreation areas such as Norman Park. Lichens are a combination of fungi and algae, one reliant on the other for survival. Surveying for them is a great hobby all year round, but especially in the winter, when other plants are taking a rest.”

Guy Harewood, SUN Project Officer, said “Local wildlife relies on local people. If everyone became involved in helping wildlife, the impact would be astronomical! Sharing sightings of species and doing a bit of practical conservation work, whether in your garden or in the countryside, can make a real difference to both our more common and our most threatened wildlife. I encourage people to take part, it will be fun!”

Organised activities are run in Bromley’s parks and the wider countryside throughout the year. Keith Burns, Friends of Scadbury Park, said “I’ve got involved with practical management work at the park because I personally want to make a difference to a site I know well, right on my doorstep. It’s a great way to help wildlife, keep fit and meet like-minded people! The programme that has been organised by the Partnership gives everyone a chance to try out some practical work at Scadbury Park or other sites in the borough”.

Further details of the ‘Taste of the Wild’ Action Weekend programme are available at www.bromley.gov.uk/conservation. Leaflets are also available at local libraries, information outlets, bookstores and supermarkets. A lichen hunt at Norman Park and tree management at Scadbury Park are just two of the 24 activities being undertaken as part of the weekend. The sessions are designed to be short, lasting from between 30 minutes to 2 hours, to give participants a ‘taste’ of nature conservation work. A fun-filled ‘mini-challenge’ of biodiversity activities to launch the weekend will take place in Market Square, Bromley, from 11am-3pm, Friday 30 September. For further information, please ring Guy Harewood, SUN Project Officer, on 020 8313 4665.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

In organising the ‘Taste of the Wild’ Action Weekend, the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership is seeking to involve more people with recording local species, enhancing urban habitats and conserving valuable nature conservation sites. This event has been coordinated on behalf of the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership by the London Borough of Bromley, through the SUN Project. For more information about the Action Weekend, please call Ewa Prokop or Guy Harewood on 020 8313 4665. 

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk; alternatively contact Guy Harewood or Ewa Prokop on 020 8313 4665.