Join Dorset's young marine wildlife wardens

Dorset Wildlife Trust is inviting young people to join their team of marine wardens this winter. ‘The K Team’, based at Kimmeridge Bay in the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve, has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2007, with volunteers aged between 13 and 25 coming from Dorset and surrounding counties to learn about and protect the marine environment. Now Dorset Wildlife Trust is launching the new season of opportunities for young people who care about the wildlife of our seas.

How do the K team make a difference?

With a combination of classroom sessions and practical activities around the coast of Dorset, the K Team’s marine wardens make a difference for marine wildlife, with patrolling, surveys and beach cleans as well as contributing to marine science nationally. Many sessions are timed around low tide to access the reserve’s rich ledges, boulder fields and strandlines which offer a window into the intriguing natural placement of species and debris and evidence of offshore species cast ashore. The team scientifically surveys and maps these discoveries, contributing to national monitoring programmes and pushing back the frontiers of knowledge about shore and sea life. A good number of the young people have become familiar faces over the years, working toward their Duke of Edinburgh award and gaining essential life skills in communication, teamwork, leadership and mentoring new members.

How can I get involved?

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Marine Officer, Emma Rance, said: “Young people are our future and The K Team has not only given them something that will benefit their career but also that will shape their values and appreciation of our world. It is hoped this enriching experience will stay with them forever!”

The first session of this winter is Strandlines and Seahorses on 11th December and the new year kicks off with Marine Aliens on 22nd February. Both free sessions combine indoor and outdoor activities led by experts in their field. They are open to anybody aged 13 to 25, but booking is essential.

For more information or to book contact Emma on erance@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk or 01929 481044 or visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/kteam , where you can download the full programme of K Team sessions.

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Emma Rance at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044.
For our latest news RSS feed, see /c2/rss/dwt_latest_news.xml

About Dorset Wildlife Trust www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages 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.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues. It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.