Funding the day job

Blog post by Ginny Seppings on 20 Nov, 2018
Recently I had the pleasure of joining one of our business work parties at Hickling Broad. En route to the work site we crossed vast areas of reed bed and its channels on foot and by boat. Enjoying the view, a member of the group noted how lucky we were to experience this landscape in its “natural state”.

Anyone would be forgiven for thinking the same; there was a sense of true wilderness out there. Such a pristine view as this, with almost no sign of civilisation as far as the eye could see, could surely only be the work of Mother Nature?

In fact, as our warden explained to the group, almost everything we could see might be considered completely “man-made”.

Much of our wildlife requires very specific conditions to thrive; many of the most sensitive species would be unable to exist without human intervention. This means costly ongoing habitat management, as well as restoration of new areas, to protect wildlife and encourage it to flourish. This work quite literally never ends, and makes up much of our reserves teams' “day job”.

Replacing boardwalk at Ranworth Broad

Replacing boardwalk at Ranworth Broad

At this time of year they are working to ensure the habitats are in peak condition for the coming breeding season in the spring, with tasks such as:
  • Managing grazing on numerous large areas of heath or wetland with specialist heritage livestock such as Dartmoor ponies and British White cattle
  • Scrub and tussock clearance on marsh or fen by hand
  • Coppicing and pollarding our native and ancient woodlands
  • Cutting reed and clearing and repairing, dyke systems on our celebrated Norfolk wetlands
  • Creating and regulating scrapes for wintering wildfowl like wigeon and pink-footed geese
  • Building and maintaining infrastructure such as boardwalks and signs so sites remain people friendly

Much of this work makes up the “hidden” costs – skilled labour, materials, tools, veterinary care and livestock husbandry, machinery – that, as a charity, we rely on supporters’ generosity to meet.

With just one week until #GivingTuesday, the global day of charitable giving, and amid one of the busiest times of year in conservation, we’re asking for your help to support our hidden yet vital tasks.

Every donation we receive will be put to good use where the need is greatest, and will make a real difference to Norfolk’s wildlife – and surely we’ll all be rewarded in the spring when many of us venture out to enjoy Norfolk’s nature.

Please make a donation to fund the day job. Select Giving Tuesday from the option.



Ginny Seppings is the Community Fundraising Officer at NWT.
NWT
Share this

Latest Blog Posts

Volunteer Spotlight: Poppy Bye Volunteer Spotlight: Poppy Bye
by Poppy Bye on 12 Mar, 2024
Last of the winter jobs on our reserves Last of the winter jobs on ...
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Officer on 29 Feb, 2024
Hamza Yassin: Life Behind The Lens Hamza Yassin: Life Behind T...
by Oscar Lawrence on 27 Feb, 2024
Is the humble toad the real harbinger of spring?  Is the humble toad the real...
by Robert Morgan on 20 Feb, 2024
NWT employs stubborn old goats NWT employs stubborn old goats
by Robert Morgan on 20 Feb, 2024
Short-eared owls: their magic and majesty Short-eared owls: their mag...
by Oscar Lawrence on 12 Feb, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Suiter Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Su...
by Tim Suiter on 05 Feb, 2024
Some old-fashioned care is needed in the winter Some old-fashioned care is ...
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Officer on 02 Feb, 2024
Could a once abundant Norfolk fish become extinct?   Could a once abundant Norfo...
by Robert Morgan on 23 Jan, 2024
Wild is the wind Wild is the wind
by Robert Morgan on 23 Jan, 2024
Waxwing Winter Waxwing Winter
by Oscar Lawrence on 17 Jan, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Tricia Dolamore Volunteer Spotlight: Tricia...
by Tricia on 10 Jan, 2024
January on our reserves January on our reserves
by NWT on 04 Jan, 2024
Robin Redbreast Robin Redbreast
by Oscar Lawrence on 19 Dec, 2023
A Christmas Wish for Nature A Christmas Wish for Nature
by Robert Morgan on 18 Dec, 2023
November on our reserves November on our reserves
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Assistant on 07 Dec, 2023
Our vision for Hickling Broad Our vision for Hickling Broad
by Eliot Lyne, NWT CEO on 07 Dec, 2023
Winter wildlife on the North Norfolk coast Winter wildlife on the Nort...
by Robert Morgan on 05 Dec, 2023
Meander through the meadow - Sweet Briar Marshes guided walk Meander through the meadow ...
by Oscar Lawrence on 29 Nov, 2023
Kites and eagles: the falsely accused Kites and eagles: the false...
by Oscar Lawrence on 20 Nov, 2023
Nurturing nature with love Nurturing nature with love
by Nick Acheson on 14 Nov, 2023
Foray into fungi Foray into fungi
by Robert Morgan on 07 Nov, 2023
October on our reserves October on our reserves
by NWT on 01 Nov, 2023
Volunteer Spotlight: John Coadwell Volunteer Spotlight: John C...
by John Coadwell on 31 Oct, 2023