Emma Grant
I signed up as a Friday work party volunteer on Brownsea Island a little over 18 months ago. Just with the idea that I could try something new, learn new skills, meet like-minded people and spend time in nature away from my laptop. Little did I know it would become a mini-obsession!
The day always starts with an ever changing boat ride, which delivers fantastic views of Poole Harbour, sandbanks peninsula and the Purbecks, whatever the weather. Once on the island, we are treated to a beautiful walk through the island into the Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
As a work party volunteer, every week is different, from bracken bashing, pine pulling, cutting birch, building dead hedges, weaving birch and willow into screening to marsh orchid surveying, preparing the Tern Islands for nesting, pond clearance and litter picking. The work is physical, which is satisfying and in my opinion, better than spending time in the gym. But it's not all work, the volunteer group always enjoys a chat, a cuppa and several chocolate biscuits!
Every week there is a chance for reflection, a chance to immerse yourself in nature and a chance to learn something new, either from the lovely Dorset Wildlife Trust staff, or from a fellow volunteer.
I don’t think there’s a week that goes by when we don’t down tools at least once to engross ourselves in a dragonfly nymph moult, watch a curious red squirrel, identify a type of fungi or witness bird activity. There is always something new to observe and marvel at.
The best thing is knowing that the work we do is helping to support the island's natural biodiversity, improving the habitats for wintering birds, protecting homes for rare and threatened wildlife and encouraging new flora and fauna to thrive.
I can't think of a better way to spend my Fridays!
