The Cornwall Wildlife Trust is a registered charity and is the only organisation dedicated to the conservation of the Cornish environment and its wildlife.
Latest Press Release
21st December 2011
New Year’s Day bird watch
Event details:
New Year’s Day bird watch
Sunday January 1st 2012, 10am to 1pm
Old town Cove Car Park
Cost of event is free
Cornwall Wildlife Trust celebrates their 50th Anniversary in 2012 and to kick start the birthday events, two local groups have come together to organise a wildlife walk and bird watch along the Camel Trail on New Year’s Day.
Leading the walk will be well known ornithologists and birders, Dave Thomas and Adrian Langdon, from the Restormel and Camel groups respectively of Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Dave says,
“The River Camel is one of the best birding areas in Cornwall. Song birds, owls, herons, little egrets, woodpeckers, swan and duck breed here in the summer, but in the winter we see hundreds and thousands of waders, swans, ducks and divers”.
“The Camel is ideal for birding” he explains, “as the trail follows the river for miles from Padstow to Wadebridge and then on to Bodmin through the sheltered wooded disused railway track”.
The birders are meeting at Old town Cove car park, near Padstow at 10am on January 1st. Turn off A389 at Trevance and drive slowly down the narrow track. Disabled access is available and the walking is on the flat. It is suggested that you wear warm clothing, and bring telescopes and binoculars, and although everyone is welcomed, including beginners, dogs are not allowed. The walk concludes at 1pm.
Dave Thomas and Adrian Langdon have known each other since the early 70s through their interest in birds and wildlife. They attended ecology classes and workshops together and are both active wildlife photographers and members of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Photographic Group. Through this they have travelled to Scotland and Europe on wildlife photography trips and Dave, a Trustee of the Trust, has also travelled from Russia down to the Falklands photographing wildlife.
Dave’s interest in birding began as a youngster in Liverpool on the River Mersey. He is an active member of the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society and through the years has built several of their bird hides.
Dave compared the River Camel area to Newquay, which the Camel group has yet to visit. “Around the River Gannel and out on the headlands are very good bird watching areas” says Dave. “Strong south westerly gales in the autumn bring migrating seabirds, shearwaters, storm petrels, gulls, divers, gannets and skuas close in to land”, a very different location to the New Year’s Day bird watch on the Camel.
Wednesday 14th September 2011
UK’s first ever Race for Wildlife in Penzance
Cornwall Wildlife Trust have teamed up with local running club Mounts Bay Harriers and organised the UK’s first ever Race for Wildlife on Sunday 16th October 2011in Penzance at Mounts Bay School. With both a 10K race and a one mile fun run, the event is suitable for keen runners or those who prefer a gentle jog!
The 10K race starts at 10:30am and is a stunning multi-terrain run through the countryside north of Penzance including breath-taking views of Mounts Bay and St Michael’s Mount. The run includes part of the Wild Penwith project area, the Trust’s Living Landscapes project, guaranteeing amazing countryside scenery. The first half of the run is uphill, the last half is downhill with the end going uphill to the finish. Pre-entry is £12, or £10 for UK Athletics members and entries will also be taken on the day at £14 and £12 respectively. All pre-entry competitors will receive a quality race memento to reward their achievement and there will also be age group prizes.
If you’re not keen on running 10km, the easy going one mile fun run takes place at 9:45am. The route is around the wonderful country tracks and paths of Trengwainton Gardens by kind permission of the National Trust and local residents. The fun run is a great chance to show your support and have some fun – there’s a prize for the best fancy dress, all ages are welcome. Pre-entry is £3, on the day entry is £5 and there’s a certificate and badge for all who finish.
Jasmin Appleby from Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which protects Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places, said;
“We encourage anyone who cares for Cornwall's wildlife to take part in our Race for Wildlife. Whether you'll be running the 10K, enjoying a gentle jog in the fun run, or helping us marshal the event, we want to see you there!”
She continues,
“We want the Race for Wildlife to raise as much money as possible for Cornwall’s wildlife. There is still a huge challenge ahead to ensure Cornwall’s natural environment and the fantastic wildlife we have is protected. From our bottlenose dolphins to the rare dormouse, to the wonderful heathlands found in Penwith, we work to ensure wildlife has a future. Runners raising sponsorship will make a real difference to their local wildlife. We will have a very special prize for the person who raises the most sponsorship – so get asking your friends and family and see how much you can raise!”
Local club, Mounts Bay Harriers have been integral in the organisation of the event, assisting the Trust wherever they can.
Yvonne Turner, Events Organiser for Mounts Bay Harriers said:
"It's great to be helping Cornwall Wildlife Trust organise their first Race for Wildlife. The Harriers are really excited about having a new race in our area, and knowing that taking part will also help protect out local wildlife is a real bonus. The route is good, with lovely views across Mounts Bay. I'd encourage all runners from all clubs to come down and join us, and be part of the UK's first ever Race for Wildlife."
The Trust are encouraging teams to enter as well. So if you’re from a running club, or have a group of friends or colleagues who fancy a challenge, get together and enter as a team! Teams can be up to four people, and same sex or mixed. There will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams.
As well as runners, the Trust, who have over 14,000 members and 85 Business Supporters, are also calling for volunteers to help marshal the event. The fun run and 10K both need marshals to safely guide runners along the route, so if running is not for you, you can still help make this event a great success. If you are able to give up just one morning, on Sunday 16th October, please contact Carolyn O’Hagan on raceforwildlife@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk or call (01872) 273939. No previous marshalling experience is necessary as all training will be given on the day.
To enter the Race for Wildlife please visit www.raceforwildlife.org.uk or call the Trust’s office on (01872) 273939 for an entry form. The Race for Wildlife is licensed under UK Athletics, licence number: 2011-102407.
Press Release
Friday 9th September 2011
Wild day out with Cornwall Wildlife Trust at Heligan
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is holding its annual summer event at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near St Austell, on Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, from 10.30am until 4pm. This year’s ‘Wildlife Celebration’ will be their biggest and best yet!
The two-day event offers a whole host of fun activities and the chance to learn all about wildlife from the experts. Join Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers in wildlife workshops and demonstrations, and find out how they protect Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places.
Jasmin Appleby, Deputy Marketing and Fundraising Manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust says,
“Our Wildlife Celebration is our wonderful annual get together, with really fun things to see and do and a chance to learn more about Cornwall’s wildlife. It’s really important to let Cornwall’s residents and visitors know about the conservation work we do, on land and in our seas, as well as raising money to support us in continuing our work.”
She continues,
“Our Wildlife Celebration is not only a chance for us to showcase the range of work we do for Cornwall’s wildlife, but it is also a great opportunity to encourage others to keep Cornwall wild. We are very happy to be working in partnership with our Business Supporter The Lost Gardens of Heligan due to their commitment to wildlife, and we feel there is not a more beautiful setting for a late-summer’s day out!“
The Nature Reserves Team will be running bird nest box building sessions for visitors, so join in and make a home for your garden visitors for a donation of just £3.
The Trust’s Marine Team will be on hand to talk about their exciting marine conservation work known as ‘Living Seas’. You’ll also be able to learn which plants should and shouldn’t be in your garden pond through the help of the Trust’s Pond Check expert, so come along and see if you’re harbouring invasive aliens in your pond!
You can meet some real live British wildlife thanks to the Trust’s Business Supporter Gwel-an-Mor. Visitors will also be treated to bird-ringing demonstrations with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), where they can see Heligan’s birds close-up and learn why tracking birds can tell us so much about them.
James Stephens, Marketing for The Lost Gardens of Heligan said;
“We are very proud to host this fantastic celebration of wildlife and to support the Cornwall Wildlife Trust as well as compliment the work we do with our unique wildlife project at The Lost Gardens.”
Bat-Aid will be joining the Trust, giving visitors the chance to meet a host of Cornwall’s bats - Norman the Noctule bat, Maisy the Brown Long Eared bat and a Pipistrelle Bat!
There will be special walks provided throughout the day, but spaces are limited so please arrive early to get your place. On Sunday 18th, Dave Thomas of the Trust’s local Restormel Group will be hosting a wildlife walk through the gardens, and there will also be a chance to check Heligan’s bat boxes with bat expert Dave Hunter. On Monday 19th, renowned wildlife photographer David Chapman will be providing a wildlife photography walk around the grounds, sharing his expertise.
For more information about the event please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/celebration or call (01872) 273939.
About
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is a registered charity founded in 1962. They are concerned solely with Cornwall and is involved in the many aspecs of conserving the county's wildlife and wild places. Cornwall Wildlife Trust owns or manages 55 nature reserves, in which examples of each of Cornwall's habitats give refuge to nationally rare and endangered species. Our detailed knowledge of Cornwall's habitats, based on years of survey work, places us in a unique position to defend the wildlife outside nature reserves; we work closely with other conservation organisations, local authorities and land owners to encourage best practice in land management for the county’s environment.
Our expert staff advise on conservation issues and seek to raise awareness amongst the adult public of today and by delivering activities and education for our junior Fox Club members, schools and youth groups, the decision-makers of tomorrow. The Trust also has Local and Specialist Groups, mostly made up of keen volunteers, working on a variety of conservation projects.
An important resource to ourselves and the county as a whole is the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS), based at our headquarters. Here, an extensive ecological database is amassed and managed, which makes available a huge amount of wildlife and earth science information relating to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Since 1992 we have also had our own consultancy arm, Cornwall Environmental Consultants (CEC) , which raises funds for Cornwall Wildlife Trust by taking on paid consultancy work.
As part of its ethical approach, Cornwall Wildlife Trust aims to carry out its work in a sustainable manner and to maximise its contribution to a healthy living environment. We have undertaken an audit of our carbon footprint and continually strive to improve our performance.
As a charity we receive no direct government aid and depend on the support of people who care about wildlife and our Cornish countryside, with a membership of just over 14,000 which includes 2,700 junior members.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is also a member of The Wildlife Trusts, a national alliance who work to achieve the greatest benefit to wildlife on a local, regional and UK-wide scale.
Please feel free to add a link to this page from your own website by copying and pasting the following code: