If you’re looking for more opportunities to be outdoors, build your conservation skills, and make a positive impact on nature in Bristol, the Nature Nurture Group offers twice weekly volunteer sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, across a range of outdoor spaces in Bristol.
The Nature Nurture Group is an initiative focused on improving public mental health and wellbeing through practical conservation work and connecting people with nature. It is led by Nicky Hodges, who was a volunteer at Stoke Park, before gaining an ecology qualification and being appointed as Bristol’s Roving Ranger.
The Group undertakes activities like clearing brambles, litter picking, scything, pruning, coppicing, and building paths. All equipment and training are provided, meaning that you can come along with no experience. Recent work includes planting up and fencing around the pond at Kings Weston, and early scything at Okebourne open space and Stockwood open space.
“I love working outdoors with a group of people – it’s a satisfying, sociable way of making a difference in Bristol, and it gets me away from phones and computers. And Nicky is really knowledgeable, so I’ve learned a lot, too.”
Libby, Nature Nurture volunteer
Activity takes place at a range of sites across Bristol, often in some of the City’s smaller green areas which form vital resources for nature and humans alike. It’s a great way to see parts of the City you might not otherwise go to, meet new people and learn new skills. Heritage crafts and skills such as scything, coppicing and pruning are not always used in every day life, but can be incredibly mindful, as well as making a positive impact on the areas in which they are used.
“I like volunteering on a Friday with the Nature and Nurture group because it’s different from what was my everyday job as a lorry driver. To be shown different things relating to keeping our greenspaces open and encouraging nature to flourish around the area where I live is worth giving my time for. Being given an opportunity to do this, I can only say thank you.”
Rich, Nature Nurture volunteer
Sites that the Group visits include:
- Callington Road Nature Reserve
- Coombe Brook Valley Nature Reserve
- Crox Bottom Park
- Eastwood Farm
- Elderberry Walk orchard
- Kingsweston Estate, including Penpole Woods and Penpole Point
- Lawrence Weston Moor
- Napier Miles Open Space
- Okebourne Open Space
- Saltmarsh Drive Open Space
- Stockwood Open Space
Upcoming tasks include weeding and mulching a newly planted hedge to help it thrive and create habitat for birds and mammals, and scything and clearing meadows to increase biodiversity and attract pollinators.
You can find out more about the Nature Nurture Group on Can Do Bristol’s website or contact Nicky directly at:
Email: nicky.hodges@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone: 07831814660
The Nature Nurture Group is part of Bristol City Council’s Managing for Nature programme, which aims to increase how much of our public green spaces are cared for and enhanced for nature’s benefit.