Skills for the Future
Heritage
Lottery Fund invests over £400,000 in skills in Wildlife Trust
partnership
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, in partnership
with Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and
Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, are delighted to
announce the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of
£409,400 under its Skills for the Future* programme for the 'A Wild
Career' project.
The Wild Career project focuses on the
skills required by today's natural heritage conservation worker - a
combination of practical traditional conservation skills, together
with the ability to engage with volunteers and members of the
public, using a range of traditional and modern tools and
techniques.
Chief Executive of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Stephen Trotter,
said, "It is vital that people have the skills to identify species
and understand individual species' behaviour and their
requirements, otherwise we will not know how best to manage
habitats to preserve species and consequently our natural heritage
will be lost. The West Midlands is made up of a variety of habitats
including upland moorland, woodlands, heathlands, grassland, river
floodplain and extensive areas of arable and pastoral farmland,
with approximately 75% of these habitats listed as priority areas
for action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Caring for the
1150 priority species that require urgent conservation action will
become increasingly problematic as the climate changes and more
habitat is lost."
"Many of the people coming out of higher education today have
theoretical knowledge but little or no practical skills
experience," continued Mr Trotter. "Other people may have
identification skills but do not know how to relate their knowledge
to practical habitat management. Teaching the skills required to
maintain our natural heritage to a wider audience through the HLF
Skills for the Future project will help to safeguard the future of
both species and habitats, preserving them for generations to
come."
Recruitment will begin early in 2011 with candidates
staring in April. For more information contact Amanda
Henshaw at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on 0121 704 0768 or amanda.henshaw@wkwt.org.uk.
Ends
Notes to
Editors
Skills for the Future
The Heritage Lottery Fund's Skills for the Future programme is
supporting heritage organisations across the UK to create new
training places. Grants range from £100,000 to £1million for a
number of traineeships with an emphasis on high-quality work-based
training. The programme will help equip organisations to engage
with the widest possible range of people and inspire them to get
involved with heritage.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage
for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and
enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology,
natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every
part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects,
allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk. For
more information please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on
tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.
The Wildlife Trusts
The partnership between Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire
Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Birmingham and
Black Country Wildlife Trust was formed in 2010 specifically to
work together on this project. The partnership is represented by
four out of the five West Midlands region Wildlife Trusts who meet
together regularly to share ideas and best practice. Each Wildlife
Trust is an independent, autonomous charity with its own trustees,
whose primary concern is the conservation of nature within its own
geographical area.
There are 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the
Isle of Man and Alderney, all working for an environment rich in
wildlife for everyone. With 791,000 members, we are the largest UK
voluntary organization dedicated to conserving the full range of
the UK's habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside,
in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior
branch, Wildlife Watch. The Trusts manage 2,256 nature reserves
covering more than 90,000 hectares. All 47 Wildlife Trusts are
members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). The vision
of The Wildlife Trusts is 'an environment rich in wildlife for
everyone.' The mission of The Wildlife Trusts is to "'ebuild
biodiversity and engage people with their environment.' Our
objectives are: to stand up for wildlife and the environment; to
create and enhance wildlife havens; to inspire people about the
natural world; and to foster sustainable living.
All of the four partner Wildlife Trusts manage nature reserves.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have over 50 Nature Reserves including
woods, meadows and wetlands covering 800 hectares, Staffordshire
Wildlife Trust have 30 reserves covering over 2,100 acres of land,
Shropshire Wildlife Trust have 36 nature reserves and Birmingham
and Black Country Wildlife Trust have eight nature reserves,
covering 65 ha.
All of the Trusts campaign as champions for wildlife and the
environment, helping to protect threatened places and rare species,
as well as enhancing wild places. The Trusts work with schools,
businesses and community groups to support local action for the
environment, encouraging people to enjoy and learn about nature.
All of the Trusts have a growing number of members, with
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust currently supported by over 22,000
members, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust by over 16,000, Shropshire
Wildlife Trust by more than 10,000 members and Birmingham and Black
Country Wildlife Trust by 6,000 members. Management of nature
reserves would not be possible without the help of the many
volunteers who help with practical projects and local activities
everywhere.
http://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/
http://www.staffordshirewildlife.org.uk/
http://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/
For more information contact Amanda Henshaw at Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust on 0121 704 0768 or amanda.henshaw@wkwt.org.uk.
Press Release
Heritage Lottery Fund invests over £400,000 in skills in Wildlife
Trust partnership
For immediate release: Tuesday 8 June 2010
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Shropshire
Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Birmingham and
Black Country Wildlife Trust, are delighted to announce the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £409,400 under
its Skills for the Future* programme for the 'A Wild Career'
project.
The Wild Career project focuses on the skills required by today's
natural heritage conservation worker - a combination of practical
traditional conservation skills, together with the ability to
engage with volunteers and members of the public, using a range of
traditional and modern tools and techniques.
Chief executive of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Stephen Trotter,
said, "It is vital that people have the skills to identify species
and understand individual species' behaviour and their
requirements, otherwise we will not know how best to manage
habitats to preserve species and consequently our natural heritage
will be lost. The West Midlands is made up of a variety of habitats
including upland moorland, woodlands, heathlands, grassland, river
floodplain and extensive areas of arable and pastoral farmland,
with approximately 75% of these habitats listed as priority areas
for action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Caring for the
1150 priority species that require urgent conservation action will
become increasingly problematic as the climate changes and more
habitat is lost."
"Many of the people coming out of higher education today have
theoretical knowledge but little or no practical skills
experience," continued Mr Trotter. "Other people may have
identification skills but do not know how to relate their knowledge
to practical habitat management. Teaching the skills required to
maintain our natural heritage to a wider audience through the HLF
Skills for the Future project will help to safeguard the future of
both species and habitats, preserving them for generations to
come."
Placements will start early in 2011. For more information contact
Amanda Henshaw at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on 0121 704 0768 or
Amanda.henshaw@wkwt.org.uk.
~Ends~
Notes to editors
*Skills for the Future
The Heritage Lottery Fund's Skills for the Future programme is
supporting heritage organisations across the UK to create new
training places. Grants range from £100,000 to £1million for a
number of traineeships with an emphasis on high-quality work-based
training. The programme will help equip organisations to engage
with the widest possible range of people and inspire them to get
involved with heritage.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage
for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and
enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology,
natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every
part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects,
allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk. For
more information please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on
tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.
The Wildlife Trusts
The partnership between Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire
Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Birmingham and
Black Country Wildlife Trust was formed in 2010 specifically to
work together on this project. The partnership is represented by
four out of the five West Midlands region Wildlife Trusts who meet
together regularly to share ideas and best practice. Each Wildlife
Trust is an independent, autonomous charity with its own trustees,
whose primary concern is the conservation of nature within its own
geographical area.
There are 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the
Isle of Man and Alderney, all working for an environment rich in
wildlife for everyone. With 791,000 members, we are the largest UK
voluntary organization dedicated to conserving the full range of
the UK's habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside,
in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior
branch, Wildlife Watch. The Trusts manage 2,256 nature reserves
covering more than 90,000 hectares. All 47 Wildlife Trusts are
members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT). The vision
of The Wildlife Trusts is "an environment rich in wildlife for
everyone." The mission of The Wildlife Trusts is to "rebuild
biodiversity and engage people with their environment." Our
objectives are: to stand up for wildlife and the environment; to
create and enhance wildlife havens; to inspire people about the
natural world; and to foster sustainable living.
All of the four partner Wildlife Trusts manage nature reserves.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have over 50 Nature Reserves including
woods, meadows and wetlands covering 800 hectares, Staffordshire
Wildlife Trust have 30 reserves covering over 2,100 acres of land,
Shropshire Wildlife Trust have 36 nature reserves and Birmingham
and Black Country Wildlife Trust have eight nature reserves,
covering 65 ha.
All of the Trusts campaign as champions for wildlife and the
environment, helping to protect threatened places and rare species,
as well as enhancing wild places. The Trusts work with schools,
businesses and community groups to support local action for the
environment, encouraging people to enjoy and learn about nature.
All of the Trusts have a growing number of members, with
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust currently supported by over 22,000
members, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust by over 16,000, Shropshire
Wildlife Trust by more than 10,000 members and Birmingham and Black
Country Wildlife Trust by 6,000 members. Management of nature
reserves would not be possible without the help of the many
volunteers who help with practical projects and local activities
everywhere.
/home.aspx
http://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/
http://www.staffordshirewildlife.org.uk/
http://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/
For more information contact Amanda Henshaw at Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust on 0121 704 0768 or
Amanda.henshaw@wkwt.org.uk.