WildVolunteering 2013

» Wildlife In The Workplace at Swadlincote Marina (1 place)

Students with an understanding of biodiversity and an interest in surveying wildlife are invited to assist with the delivery of this new initiative. You will be required to source a business establishment in Derby and present the idea of a Biodiversity Plan, or health check that will improve their premises for wildlife using your recommendations. It may improve an area for lunchtime staff, for education or improve the visual appearance of the premises. It may just be for wildlife and biodiversity enhancement.

We will ask for a report that includes an internet survey of wildlife for your site, some simple surveying of the premises and neighbouring sites, for example birds and flora, and create a five year Action Plan with tasks that you think the Company can achieve. What will they achieve if they implement your ideas? You will have to present your case to the company at the concept stage and at the end sell your simple proposals. Plenty of pictures will help. We have two sites ready at the Shardlow Marina, in south Derbyshire and Arboretum Park for Derby City Council. You may know a local school?

Supervisor: Debbie Alston, Derbyshire LBAP Officer for Lowland Derbyshire, 01629 539771, debbie.alston@derbyshire.gov.uk

End date: December 2013.

» Bird Leaflet, Markeaton Park, Derby

You will be required to liaise with the local friends group, have knowledge of photography, simple computer graphic skills and also find funding. An interest in birds is recommended.

Using a programme of your choice you will be asked to desk-top publish the artwork for a leaflet which delivers information about Markeaton Park and its wildlife. The leaflet will be about birds. You will map an existing trail onto the leaflet and use colour pictures to help people discover new areas of the Park and explore new areas for birds. You will be asked to find funding for the printing of the colour leaflet and complete a grant application on behalf of the Friends of Markeaton Park.

Supervisor: Dawn Wilson and Ann Morgan, Friends of Markeaton Park dawnwilson1@ntlworld.com

End date: September 2013.

» Research And Interpretation, Swadlincote Woodlands, South Derbyshire

Created in 1990 as part of a major urban regeneration scheme, Swadlincote Woodlands is one of many sites which has reclaimed old industrial land and transformed it into an urban green-space. Formerly clay opencast and coal mines, the site has an interesting history and the green and leafy site you see today bears no relation to the industrial and dirty land it once was - like much of the National Forest, which Swadlincote is at the heart of.

We are hoping to designate part of the site a Local Nature Reserve in the next 12 months and want to produce some interpretive materials which will help to explain the habitats on the site, the management techniques we use and also how the site used to look. We would like a student to carry out the following:

• Site walkover survey with Open Space Manager to map the habitats
• Research existing wildlife records for a list of species found on the site
• Research into cultural and industrial heritage of the site, including the photographs (potential to use the Magic Attic local history archive)
• Production of text for interpretation materials, to be used by SDDC as leaflet, web page, interpretation panel and poster

Supervisor: Zoe Sewter, South Derbyshire DC, zoe.sewter@south-derbyshire.gov.uk

End date: End of July 2013.

» Wildlife Events Officer, West Hallam Screens, with National England

You will set up and help deliver a programme of events focusing on the wildlife and habitats of West Hallam Screens local wildlife site. You will plan, schedule and deliver these to a local audience using an event flyer and a range of media avenues.

There will be approximately four events showcasing the habitats, wildlife and management on the site, following consultation with the team. You will be the point of contact for enquires that come from visitors to the events. Long term we hope site users will gain an improved understanding of the site and how it is managed.

There will be an amount of media work with this project and you will be expected to engage with the owner, partners and other agencies to produce the leaflet. On completion you will receive a copy of your work and an assessment to take to prospective employees.

Supervisor: Mark Taylor, Natural England Lead advisor for West Hallam Screens. 07900 657078, mark.taylor2@naturalengland.org.uk

End date: October 2013.

» IT Support, Lonny Wilsoncroft Centre, Derby

You will support adults with little or no computer experience to improve their skills and knowledge. Tasks will range from using the mouse and keyboard to surfing the Internet, accessing emails and social media and also word processing and spreadsheets. You will need to have good communication skills, be patient and be able to keep accurate records of learners' attendance, session activities and feedback.

The sessions will be held once a week on a Friday morning at the Lonny Wilsoncroft Community Centre, near Ashbourne Road in Derby.

Supervisor: Jason Nichols, Community Relations, University of Derby. j.nichols@derby.ac.uk