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Local masterminds have been put to the test this month as a quiz group in Lytchett Matravers got together and raised over £700 in aid of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Appeal. With sheer brain-power alone the 85 quiz masters have helped the restoration of one of Dorset’s most popular urban wildlife reserves, and ensured a future for some of Britain’s rarest wildlife.
Continuous donations
The local quiz night held regularly at the village hall in Lytchett Matravers nominates a charity for each quiz and in December the team decided to host a night to fundraise towards Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Appeal. The appeal is a result of a huge fire that ravaged the nature reserve in June 2011, destroying 140 acres of wildlife rich habitat at the peak of the bird and reptile breeding season to disastrous effect.
Andy Fale, Upton Heath Warden at Dorset Wildlife Trust said “After the devastating fire on June the 9th, it is amazing to see that even 5 months afterwards people are still getting together to raise money for the reserve’s restoration. I attended the quiz and we had a fantastic night and a great turn out with £750 raised. This money will go straight towards restoring Upton Heath, and we can’t thank the quiz organisers Kate and Richard Coombs and Rosie Endecott enough for choosing us for their fundraising.”
You can still help!
Since the Upton Heath Appeal started in June over £40,000 has been raised by the public towards restoration of the nature reserve, as well as having over 250 volunteers heading out after the disaster to rescue over 550 reptiles and other wildlife from the ashes of the fire. As well as starting on the restoration work, Dorset Wildlife Trust is setting up a “Heathwatch” volunteer group to help monitor local heathland and keep it safe to enjoy for both people and wildlife.
To contribute to the appeal, visit the Upton Heath Appeal page or ring 01305 264620. To volunteer for Upton Heathwatch, visit the Upton Heathwatch page or call 01202 692033.
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Notes to Editor
For more information please contact Andy Fale at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01202 692033.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Working for a secure future for Dorset’s wildlife enriching the quality of life
Dorset Wildlife Trust works to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. Founded in 1961, DWT is now the largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, with over 25,000 members and over 40 nature reserves. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve. DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues and leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.
Blog /wildlife-matters-blog.html
About The Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) wildlifetrusts.org. There are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000 members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch. Our vision is to create A Living Landscape and secure Living Seas. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves and every year we advise thousands of landowners and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.
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Left to right, Andy Fale, Rosie Endecott, Nigel Brooks - photo by Dick Endecott
Upton Heath - photo by Tony Bates
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