Helping out on a work party is not only good exercise, but also a whole new learning experience.

Beacon Hill School' students help out at Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve

Students from Beacon Hill School, Aspatria, worked very hard recently at Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve, developing conservation skills. They worked alongside Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Nature Reserves Officer, Morag Angus, at Drumburgh Moss which is one of four peat bogs on the south side of the Solway estuary, which together are considered the best in England.

The purpose of the visit was to compliment ASDAN students’ studies about the environment. The practical work involved helping to restore the wet heathland, cutting down and burning gorse and scrub and checking up on the Exmoor ponies.

Owing to drainage of the moss and the surrounding farmland, Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve is much drier than it would naturally be, so major work has been undertaken to slow the flow of rainwater off the bog and sustain the rare habitat. It is an amazing mossland and on the day we were there it was a winter wonderland of ice, though the nature reserve is lovely to see at any time of the year. It is very peaceful with open vistas, a little piece of wilderness, well worth a visit.

Nature reserves officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Morag Angus, was delighted with the students, 'They are fantastic,' she said, 'they have worked very hard and made a difference. We really appreciate all their efforts.'

Morag with the Beacon Hill School students  

Volunteers make a massive difference at Quarry Banks Nature Reserve

Nine volunteers joined Morag Angus, Northern Reserves Officer, at Quarry Banks Nature Reserve on a very sunny Saturday this February. They had come to learn about and have a go at hedge laying, which they all seemed to thoroughly enjoy. The next day, a couple of volunteers came along and spent the day burning up the brash that had resulted from the previous day’s hedge laying and planted a new hedge.

Below are a few pictures taken by volunteer Elaine Hibbs showing the highlights of
the day.  

Honorary Reserve Managers do their bit 

Another nature reserve, Argill Woods Nature Reserve, which is situated a few miles east of Brough, on the edge of the Pennines, also hosts conservation work parties.

Volunteers meet to put up bird, squirrel and owl boxes, that a dedicated volunteer builds himself, and burn on a bonfire cut back scrub (the scrub is cleared to maintain access around the reserve).

With Honorary Reserve Manager Nigel around, it is not uncommon to see a dipper on the beck, plus some long-tailed tits flirting with us in the trees overhead.‘When we started as the honorary reserve managers here, we really didn’t know much about what we were doing. Wal was encouraging and has been very supportive and you soon learn, particularly what needs to be achieved each season.’

One of their tasks is to help out at work parties where, depending upon the reserve and what needs to be achieved, there is often a variety of work to be completed. You can find yourself cutting down gorse and mending fences, or building boardwalks and clearing scrub.

Lois and Nigel Harbron are passionate about Argill Woods Nature Reserve and its numerous habitats of woodland, hay meadow and beck. Each of the Trust’s 40 plus nature reserves has an honorary reserve manager, like Lois and Nigel. They work with the nature reserve officers and an army of volunteers to ensure that the habitats are managed in the best interests of wildlife. Why not see what a work party is like for to yourself?

Visit what's on to find a nature reserve workparty near you.