Get Active: volunteer, experience, connect with the natural world

 
Get Active: volunteer, experience, connect with the natural world and put animal magic into your life! 

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  1. Living with Mammals Survey is back for PTES

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    Want to make a difference to wildlife?

    One way to do this is to take part in surveys.   They give conservation charities a really good idea of what is happening across the country – so the more people who join in the better.  You don’t need to be an expert, just to take part.

    Building up a picture of wildlife on our doorsteps help us tell if a species is in trouble and needs help.   For example, thousands of wildlife watchers have helped identify the loss of hedgehogs over 20 years.  Like the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, which has run for over 40 years now, surveys give a lot of local information which give great value to wildlife conservation because of the picture they build up.

    It’s time for the PTES Living with Mammals Survey!

    The 29th March 2021 saw the launch of this year’s Living With Mammals survey.  All you need to do is to record the mammals you see every week and any signs they leave behind, such as footprints or droppings.

    Spotting wild mammals, a PDF from the PTES
    Spotting wild mammals, a PDF from the PTES
    image © PTES

    You can choose any green space to survey.

    It could be a garden, an allotment, a local park or any other area that’s convenient to spend a little time in each week.   The site must be within 200 metres of a building.

    You can share your photos online using #LivingwithMammals

    PTES who run the survey aren’t asking people to survey public areas, but to survey in gardens and other private land.  If you’re not sure about whether to take part in surveys during COVID-19, check government guidelines and then decide if it is right and proper and safe for you to take part.

    Register here (it’s free to do this and there’s the most gorgeous picture of a fox waiting for you)

    Survey tips and hints are here such as when and where to look, tracking signs so you can work out who is who, a note on wildlife cameras and more.   Mammals are typically more active at sunrise and suntset.   Check walls, hedges, fences, grass verges and field margins – they all provide cover for mammals.

    There are mammal fact files here.   Doing a survey is a great way to find out more about wildlife!

    You can see the results of past surveys here – Living with Mammals started in 2003!

    Visit the PTES website for more information


    Give local wildlife their own wildlife corridors

    PTES point out that connecting our gardens and patches of green such as grass verges and local parks enable animals to move between different features.  Make a CD sized hole in the bottom of a fence can really help them journey from one place to another – their own sort of motorway network, a wildlife corridor, if you like.  These can certainly help animals such as hedgehogs.   Visit Hedgehog Street, a campaign run by PTES and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for more information..

  2. For horse and donkey lovers, get active for the Brooke

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    Love donkeys and horses?   

    If you do, just take a moment to imagine them walking mile after mile, every day. 

    That’s the reality for many working horses, donkeys and mules who work tirelessly, around the world. 

    The Brooke reach over 1.5 million working horses, donkeys and mules across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East and help them.  

    Step in their Shoes and raise funds for the Brooke so that they can help hardworking horses, donkeys and mules

    If you do and want to do your bit to help them, please take a look at The Brooke's Step in their Shoes Challenge and take on the 100 mile challenge to raise essential funds to support the working animals they care for every day. 

    The Brooke is asking us all to walk 100 miles (not in one go!) at some stage this year. 

    There is no set time limit for the challenge;  you can do the 100 miles however you like – walking, wheeling, running or cycling, whatever!  If you have a dog, you could include your daily dog walking in your 100 miles!

    Register, and a fundraising page will be set up for you - you just need then to share the link with your family and friends and ask for donations.  The Brooke is asking us to raise £100 or as much as you can. 

    If you can't do the challenge, why not donate or sponsor someone? 

    Visit Step in their Shoes' website here

  3. Join in the Miles and Meals Charity Challenge with Harringtons

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    Get active!

    Harringtons has launched a “Miles and Meals” campaign to get everyone moving and also get more meals to those in need.

    The idea is to help pet owners clock up the miles – and for every one mile walked, Harringtons will donate a meal.  

    There’s an online community that tracks steps, using exercise and running app Strava.   Meal donations will go to dogs in need.

    Lets go! WOOF WOOF!


    In short, the more miles we all do, the more meals go to pets in care.

    Harringtons are hoping that a million miles will be walked – which will mean one million meals can will be donated.   And hopefully we can all get fitter and having waggy tail fun while we’re doing it!

    So far, over half a million meals have been donated!

    You can use the hashtag #PositivePawprint for a chance to be featured in Harrington’s gallery!

    I want to go for a walk!

    COVID-19
    Stay safe and please stick to the current COVID-19 restrictions in your area.  Maintain social distancing.    

    Fetch more information

    Find out more here

    Sign up here

  4. New organic pet shampoo from Green People

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    Take a look at Green People's new Pet Shampoo!
    Take a look at Green People's new Pet Shampoo!

    Green People produce organic beauty products for all the family - women, men, kids and babies.   And now, I'm delighted to say, they have produced something for the most important member of the family - your dog!

    I adore Green People's products.  I've been using their moisturiser, cleanser and sun protection lotion for a few years now, and I love the way they make my skin feel.  They last, too.  I'm not one of those people who spend ages getting ready for the day and I have to say it takes a lot to get me interested in any sort of beauty stuff, but I'm a big fan of Green People.

    One of the reasons is that they work with a number of charities - in the past they have worked with BornFree, the Marine Conservation Society, the Woodland Trust and Plantlife.  

    The company is based in West Sussex, not far from us, so that's another reason for my loving them.  

    This is allPaws Wild Mint Cleansing Shampoo

    Now they have two allPaws pet shampoo products, one for younger dogs and one for older dogs and those with sensitive skin.

    Take a look at allPaws pet shampoo

    Green People say they are safe and gentle, good value for money (because they last) and if you wash your dog outside, the product won't damage the environment.  The tubes are easy to squeeze (handy if you have to chase your dog round the garden to wash him or her) and they won't cause skin irritation.

    Take a look anyway and see what you think!  

     

  5. Volunteer to be a Toad Patroller

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    Did you see Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s programme on BBC2 on Saturday afternoon?  

    It featured a number of exciting wildlife projects, and among them were a group of volunteers who go on Toad Patrol.

    In short, volunteers on Toad Patrol help toads cross busy roads safely.

    Common toads have very special wants when it comes to choosing where they breed.  They often go back to their ancestral breeding ponds every year.  And they cross the same route – which can lead them across roads.

    Have you thought of volunteering for a toad patrol?
    Have you thought of volunteering for a toad patrol?
    image copyright to Froglife.org

    Of course, they are crossing the roads as cars and lorries are passing through them. There’s no need to tell you who comes off worst.

    Enter the Toads on Roads project. 

    It registers these sites as migratory crossings and it also helps organise local toad patrols.

    A patrol can apply to local councils for road warning signs to be put up and help toads cross. 

    Toads on Patrol has now been going for 20 years and there are many crossings around the nation.

    How would you like to volunteer to join a Toad Patrol?

    You can volunteer as much or as little as you want – but you need to be committed and enthusiastic, and willing to turn out in the evenings in wet weather.  Migration can run from as early as January to as late as April so you’re going out in the dark in wet and cold weather for much of the time

    That said, this is a great opportunity to: 

    • Help toads
    • Meet like minded people who want to make a difference
    • Do something different with your evenings

    If you’d rather be inside in the warm, you could always donate to support Toads on Patrol.

    Find the Toads on Patrol nearest to you.

    Find out about becoming a Toad Patroller – and there’s an information pack here.

     


    Be a Reserve Warden for the Day Experience, available from Froglife.org

  6. Looking for animal crafts for the kids? Take a look at Baker Ross

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    Baker Ross have up to 34% off their  creative animal world collection so that you can keep the kids entertained with a range of farm animals, jungle animals, sealife and more!

    Gallop off to Baker Ross now


    Baker Ross cover all sorts of animals – sloths, llamas, rats, pigs, hedgehogs, farm animals, blue tits, koalas, chickens, snakes, woodland animals, dogs, bats and mice! 

    This offer ends on 10th May 2020, so take a look at their amazing animal craft collection today!

     

  7. Brainteasers from the World Land Trust

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    Bored at home?  

    The lovely folk at the World Land Trust have created some word-searches and crosswords for us all to do – and what’s more, they’ve even provided links to the answers as well!

    Tease your brain here with the World Land Trust

    Go to tease your brain here

    They have just announced that their fundraiser to save 642 acres of land in Columbia has been successful and that the land has been saved!  They hit their target of £295,000 in just a few weeks which is all the more remarkable because of what was happening in the world – the coronavirus began to make its impact felt shortly after the fundraiser was announced.   Anyway, it’s a great way to get involved in conservation and to donate to something where you really can make a difference.

    Thanks to the World Land Trust’s supporters, Fundacion Biodiversa Colombie (FBC) will be able to protect more of the amazing network of habitats in Barbacoas, middle-Magdalena Valley, home to many of Columbia’s most threatened species.  The Lowland Tapir, Brown Spider Monkey,  and West Indian Manatee all call this home, along with many bird species.

    Take a look at the news from the World Land Trust here.

     

  8. New rare Asian Elephant at Chester Zoo

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    Have you been watching Secret Life at The Zoo?  It's on our screens on Thursdays on Channel 4 at 8pm.  The enthusiasm and love the keepers show for their animals never ceases to amaze me, and there's good news from them from the animals at Chester Zoo!

    A rare Asian elephant was born. 

    The female calf was born to 15 year old mum Sundara Hi Way, after a 22 month gestation.

    And the birth was caught on CCTV cameras!  The rest of the family herd welcomed the new born, including 1 year old half brother Anjan and 3 year old sister Indali.

    Asian elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Sadly the species is threatened by habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict - like so many animals.   A deadly herpes virus threatens them as well.  

    Chester Zoo is working hard to help elephants in the wild, focusing on human-wildlife conflict in Assam, India.   The zoos' conservationists are working to prevent the deaths of elephants and to help find ways in which elephants and people can live side by side.

    And they are also working to search for a viable vaccine to help rid elephants of EEHV.  Progress is being made - and hopefully one day this threat will be dealt with. 

    Plan your visit to Chester Zoo here - you'll find all the information you need!

     

  9. Pet First Aid Courses with the PDSA

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    Did you ever do a first aid course on people?   Well, now you can do a Pet First Aid Course with the PDSA.

    The PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity.  It’s got a network of 48 pet hospitals, and it provides treatment for millions of poorly pets who are sick and injured and who belong to people in need – there are criteria you need to meet to have your pet seen to by the PDSA.

    The PDSA also promotes responsible pet ownership.   And one of the things they are doing is running Pet First Aid Courses!  

    Pet First Aid Course

    The main focus of the training is to help you identify when something isn’t right with a pet and then how you can act accordingly in an emergency situation before you get to a vet.  The course also looks at how you can prevent  some emergencies happening in the first place. 

    • Recognising normal for your pet
    • Heatstroke
    • Bandaging
    • Bloat
    • Poisoning
    • Seizures
    • Choking
    • Resuscitation
    • Being prepared

    These take place around the country and you can find a list of pet first aid courses here.   They are delivered by the PDSA’s Community and Education Nurses, using some theory work, group discussion, case studies, video examples and practical exercises.  You can test your knowledge afterwards by completing an online quiz – you’ve got 7 days and 3 goes to pass the quiz and then a course certificate will be emailed to you.

    Find a Course Near You

    The course is free but not surprisingly it’s very popular so the PDSA have introduced a £5 admin fee for booking. 

    Please note - due to the increase in demand for their Pet First Aid courses, the PDSA have had to introduce an administration / booking fee of £5.00 per person (that’s non-refundable & non- transferable) (Including VAT)

    You can also sign up online for their Free Pet First Aid Guide

    Why not take out Pet Insurance with the PDSA and help support them that way?  It’s one way they raise funds to continue providing free vet care to the UK’s most needed pets and to promote responsible pet ownership.  Find out more here

     

  10. Go walkies and enjoy Britain's canals and rivers

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    Autumn is a wonderful time of year to take a walk in and there’s nothing like walking alongside water.  

    Walking is great exercise – you can stretch your legs, drink in the view, watch the wildlife, enjoy the autumn colours in all their glory and breathe in some fresh air.

    Autumn is a beautiful time of year to go walking

    ©Canal and River Trust

    Even if you don’t live in the sea, you may find yourself near a lake, a loch, a river or a canal.

    Walkies with the Canal and River Trust

    ©Canal and River Trust

    The Canal and River Trust has lots of wonderful walks for everyone to enjoy – and they have information about dog friendly walks on their website.

    Walking your dog by a canal or river...some tips

    • Keep your dog on a short lead around busy spots like locks and bridges – you don’t want them jumping into a lock or into a canal from a bridge, for instance
    • Ensure they are wearing a collar with an ID tag
    • They respectfully ask that you pick up anything your dog might drop and put it into a bin
    • Don’t let your dog swim in the canals – they may upset the ducks

    Don’t forget to take water for your dog – dogs get thirsty as well!

    In winter, it’s particularly important to keep your dog on the lead in case they are distracted by geese and ducks and try to jump into the canal to go after them.  Your dog may think ice on a canal is a solid base.  

    If your dog should fall in, the Canal and River Trust advise you not to jump in after your dog; keep your voice calm and encourage him or her to swim to you where you can lift them out safely.  And if they can’t do this, try to reach them with a line or long branch.

    And if you don’t have a dog, go for walkies anyway and enjoy yourself!   Woof, woof! 

    Go to the Canal and River Trust's website - why not volunteer or become a member?