Kent Wildlife Trust gets funding for Kent's Coast

Great news that Kent Wildlife Trust has won funding for its Guardians of Deep project around Kent's Coast

Guardians of the Deep: £446,100 grant

The Guardians of the Deep is a three-year project that aims to engage communities, businesses and visitors by raising awareness of marine habitats and promoting an active and ongoing guardianship role to protect them for the future. Almost the entire Kent coast falls within a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and will feature eleven Marine Conservation Zones by 2018. Kent’s marine habitats are considered at threat from the fishing industry, invasive species, pollutants and regression of coastal defences.

The project will be run by Kent Wildlife Trust in partnership with Thanet District Council, Medway Council, and Kent County Council and will divide the coastline into three sections – the White Cliffs of Dover (from Folkestone to Deal), North East Kent (from Deal to Whitstable), and Medway and Swale. It will comprise five key activities which will involve 60,000 people in marine awareness activities:

Coastal guardians –360 community champions will run marine events and identification surveys to be shared with coastal heritage protection bodies

Undersea explorers – workshops will be held with young people raising awareness of marine habitats, water safety, and snorkelling skills

Wild beach – a programme of coastal learning activities for 60 schools and youth groups covering geology, biology, social history and the value of marine heritage

Coastal connections – a digital campaign aimed at reaching up to 150,000 members of the public

Coastal Citizen Science – volunteers will be trained in survey and species recognition and 60 ‘coast-busters’ will deal with non-native species identified

full story at:
http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/national-lottery-invests-365m-land-and-coastal-projects

Big Garden Birdwatch 2014

Count the wildlife that's counting on you.

Bird populations are a great indicator of the health of the countryside. That's why it's so important to take part in surveys like the Big Garden Birdwatch to keep an eye on the ups and downs of the wildlife where we live.

All you need to do is spend an hour over the weekend of 25-26 January counting the birds in your garden. It's that simple!

The more people involved, the more we can learn. So, grab a cuppa and together we can all help to give nature a home.

For more info and to register, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Open Wildlife Garden Hacklinge 28th-30th June

OPEN GARDEN Fri 28th Sat 29th Sun 30th June
2, Bridge Hill Cottages, Hacklinge, Nr Deal CT14 0AY

DWI supporters and local artists Sue and Adrian Sullivan invite you to visit their Wildlife Garden 10.30 to 5.30 on the above days in aid of The Kent Wildlife Trust, Admission just £1

There will be the usual Cakes, Cream Teas and Refreshments available ( all profits to KWT )

Come and have a natter about Gardens, Plants, Veg growing, Life, Art and perhaps enjoy some music or poetry for an hour or so. Tel. 01304 614088 / 0784035762

As  Parking is very limited just outside our house , you may wish to consider parking in Burgess Green or The Betteshanger Business Park Rd and walk back to 2 Bridge Hill

 

                                                                                                                                       

State of Nature report

For the first time ever, the UK’s wildlife organisations have joined forces to undertake a health check of nature in the UK and its Overseas Territories. 

The reports summary key findings are presented here, and the full report is online: www.rspb.org.uk/stateofnature

• 60% of the 3,148 UK species we assessed have declined over the last 50 years and 31% have declined strongly.

• Half of the species assessed have shown strong changes in their numbers or range, indicating that recent environmental changes are having a dramatic impact on nature in the UK. Species with specific habitat requirements seem to be faring worse than generalist species.

• A new Watchlist Indicator, developed to measure how conservation priority species are faring, shows that their overall numbers have declined by 77% in the last 40 years, with little sign of recovery.

• Of more than 6,000 species that have been assessed using modern Red List criteria, more than one in 10 are thought to be under threat of extinction in the UK.

• Our assessment looks back over 50 years at most, yet there were large declines in the UK’s wildlife prior to this, linked to habitat loss.

• The UK’s Overseas Territories hold a wealth of wildlife of huge international importance and over 90 of these species are at high risk of global extinction.

• There is a lack of knowledge on the trends of most of the UK’s species.

• As a result, we can report quantitative trends for only 5% of the 59,000 or so terrestrial and freshwater species in the UK, and for very few of the 8,500 marine species. Much needs to be done to improve our knowledge.

• What we do know about the state of the UK’s nature is often based upon the efforts of thousands of dedicated volunteer enthusiasts who contribute their time and expertise to monitoring schemes and species recording.

• The threats to the UK’s wildlife are many and varied, the most severe acting either to destroy valuable habitat or degrade the quality and value of what remains

.

• Climate change is having an increasing impact on nature in the UK. Rising average temperatures are known to be driving range expansion in some species, but evidence for harmful impacts is also mounting.

The full report is online: www.rspb.org.uk/stateofnature

We should act to save nature both for its intrinsic value and for the benefits it brings to us that are essential to our wellbeing and prosperity.

Targeted conservation has produced inspiring success stories and, with sufficient determination, resources and public support, we can turn the fortunes of our wildlife around.

The State of Naturereport serves to illustrate that with shared resolve and commitment we can save nature

Kent Wildlife Trust on Dover-Deal MCZ

Running between Kingsdown, Deal to the north and Dover to the south is an important stretch of rich chalk reef, lying below the famous white cliffs of Dover.


 The chalk platform extends across the shore and out to sea, with deep sand-filled gullies between tall ridges of chalk covered in seaweeds, sponges and anemones. Large crabs and lobsters find shelter within the chalk in recesses, while baby cuttlefish swim around the outcrops, demonstrating their amazing camouflage.

Further offshore, the chalk gradually becomes covered in coarse sediments. Here, thousands of sandy tubes made by tiny ross worms form significant reefs which can harbour a wonderful diversity of wildlife and support the whole food web.

Film taken on Kent Wildlife Trust Seasearch surveys within the Dover to Deal recommended Marine Conservation Zone.

http://youtu.be/dq8xnh1lC3o

Kent Wildlife Course - Butterflies

Join the Great HedgeHog Survey !

HodgeHog Hibernation Survey

A study was conducted 40 years ago which suggested a link between climate and when hedgehogs come out of hibernation.We are now repeating the study to see if climate change has affected hedgehog hibernation patterns.

We therefore need your help to collect hedgehog records from 1st February until 31st August 2012. 

Simply tell us every time you see a hedgehog, noting its location and whether it is alive or dead. Please don't forget to stay on the look out until the end of August when all hedgehogs should be awake.
To enter sightings you will need a username and password.

Once you have signed up you can record a sighting at any time by clicking on "ENTER YOUR RECORD".

Full details at http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html

Get involved with Nature conservation with Hawkshill Working Party

There's a great opportunity to keep fit and protect the flora and fauna of the
chalk downland that is Hawkshill Freedown, in Walmer.

This priceless amenity is owned by the Walmer Parish Council and in times when 80% of the species rich habitat has disappeared, we have a chance to protect it. The Hawkshill Working party,
coordinated by Clive Grant and Sue and Brian Pitcher (and advised by wildlife
management consultant Martin Newcombe) welcome volunteers with open arms every
1st Sunday and 3rd Monday of the month, 10.30a.m. - 12.30.

All you need to do is turn up at the car park by the T junction of Liverpool Road and Gram'sRoad; tools and protective gloves are provided. You can drop a line to let Walmer council know you're coming if you want to or just turn up. 01304 381506 or clerk@walmercouncil.co.uk .

In July, work carried out by a varied group (aged from 17 to 70!) included trimming back the bushes and brambles that constantly threaten to over run the site, and counting this year's orchids. So, a great way to be a friend to 400 species (including - crows foot garlic, pyramidal orchid, kidney vetch, pallid cockroach, rose chafer, lesser stag beetle, bumble bees, top snail, common lizards, linnets, ergot, slow worms,
spotted flycatchers, tree sparrow, turtledove, roast beef iris and stinking iris) in the open air with stunning views; an unbeatable offer!

Shape the nature of England .....

Do you know about the white paper that the government will be bringing out in 2011 on the natural world ?

They are inviting the public to give their views on the natural world and obviously we need as many people as possible to let them know the depth of feeling there is about the dangers of climate change and the destruction of the natural world.

If people would like to take part in the online survey the web site is :

 ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/

Many thanks to Adrian for letting know about this......

What happening to Bees ?

DWI Meeting: 'Bees and the Environment'
Bee populations are in severe decline allover the world, but beekeepers and scientists are unsure what is causing these losses. This matters because bees pollinate a third of the food we eat, so without them there would be no apples, onions or even tea!

We are fortunate to have Maggie Harrowell from Dover BeeKeepers to talk to us

Maggie has years of experience as a beekeeper and will be bringing some of her Bees, honey to taste and bee related products to try & buy.

The DWI Meeting is at Dealability, 43 Victoria Rd Deal CT14 7AY at 7:30 - Tuesday 27th July.  

All welcome

Sue's Ten top tips for a wildlife garden

Sue Sullivan shows DWI supporters her wildlife garden

Sue Sullivan  - Deal With It supporter and Kent Wildlife Fund Wildlife Garden competition assessor - gives us her ten top tips to create a wildlife friendly garden:

1. Plant a native tree
2. Dig a pond for wildlife
3. Don't use chemicals
4. Don't be too tidy - an undisturbed area will attract wildlifePlant a range of nectar/pollen bearing plants, wild and cultivated, to flower, ideally from early Spring to the Autumn.
5. Create a bird feeding station
6. Provide bird boxes, insect boxes, hedgehog boxes
7. Leave an area of long grass for summer butterflies, grass hoppers and crickets
8. Create a log pile/dead wood for insects to live and breed in
9. Leave some flowers to go to seed and leave through the winter for seed eating birds.
10. Enjoy your garden wildlife!

Kent Wildlife Trust further information 

Sue & Adrian are also showing their art & photography as part of the Deal Festival & SEAS 'Open Studios' on the first three weekends in July and would be willing to do a brief tour of the Garden  tel: 01304 614 088 - 2 Bridge Hill Cottages Hacklinge CT14 0AY (location 24 in SEAS Catalogue www.seasopenstudios.co.uk) 

Wildlife Garden Visit

Deal With It spent a wonderful sunday afternoon at Sue & Adrian Sullivan's Wildlife Garden in Hacklinge. It was amazing to see what can be achieved in four years with a bit of vision, some hard work and lots of care for the environment & wildlife.

Sue & Adrian gave us a great walk & talk, which was informative and inspirational followed by a superb cream tea while we set the world to rights.

Sue & Adrian are also showing their art & photography as part of the Deal Festival & SEAS 'Open Studios' on the first three weekends in July and would be willing to do a brief tour of the Garden  tel: 01304 614 088 - 2 Bridge Hill Cottages Hacklinge CT14 0AY (location 24 in SEAS Catalogue www.seasopenstudios.co.uk)

Wildlife Garden Visit

Deal With It supporters Sue & Adrian Sullivan are assessors for the Kent Wildlife Trust's annual 'wild about gardens' award for wildlife friendly gardens.

They have kindly offered to open their garden in Hacklinge and do a 'walk & talk' on what they have done and some options for ourselves to make our gardens more friendly to wildlife and sustainable.

This offer is to DWI supporters only and places will be limited.

There will be three sessions at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on the Sunday 20th June.

There is space for only four cars at their home so visitors are encouraged to car share, walk, cycle (its on the Deal-Sholden-Fowlmead cycle route) or use the 13 bus.

If you are interested in coming please email Steve Wakeford directly at dealwithit2010@googlemail.com by 6pm on Sunday 13th June so he can organise the sessions.

If you are interested in Kent Wildlife Trust work please see their site at here

2010 is International Year of Bio-Diversity

 'Kent’s Wildlife 2010 – it’s counting on you' is Kent County Council’s celebration of this year’s International Year of Biodiversity and will provide Kent’s residents and visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the county’s wildlife and find out how to do their bit.

For more details on Kent events see KCC site http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/countryside_and_coast/wildlife_2010.aspx 

http://www.biodiversityislife.net/

HedgeLink

Hedgelink is the partnership that brings everyone interested in hedgerows together, to share knowledge and ideas, to encourage and inspire, and to work with farmers and other land managers to conserve and enhance our hedgerow heritage.

See their website at:  http://www.hedgelink.org.uk

Call of Wild Photos ...

The Deal With It photos from the 'Call of the Wild' meeting can now be found at our Flickr site at here

A roaring 'Call of the Wild' meeting....

Deal With It's 'Call of the Wild' meeting attracted over 60 people to the Landmark centre on Friday evening.

The audience listened intently to Geographer Geoff Meaden explain all the factors that are effecting Kent's coastline now & the possible impact on the next 200 years- including the fact we are still dealing with the effects of the last ice age as Kent is sinking by a few mm per year.  

Michael Walter, from RSBP national nature reserve at Blean Woods near Canterbury, detailed the changes he is witnessing & recording of the impact of climate change on insect and bird populations, migration cycles & diversity. He showed particularly how our wildlife & countryside is vulnerable to the increasing extreme climate conditions.

There was a good discussion on rising sea levels, 'Climate-gate' & Climate science and what we can do to stop climate change.

We had stalls from RSPB Canterbury, Deal Fairtrade, Kent CPRE, Deal With IT and info from the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory & Rippledown environmental centre.

Call of the Wild - What Kent's wildlife tell us about climate change

Deal With It's meeting this Friday - Call of the Wind: What Kent's wildlife & countryside tells us about climate change - is going to have a slot on BBC Kent Radio between 11:15am + 12pm on Friday. DWI Meeting organiser Becky Lythgoe and speaker Michael Walter from the RSPB will have a short interview.

Meeting starts at 7pm at the Landmark Centre - full details at http://transitiondeal.blogspot.com/2010/02/call-of-wild-what-kents-wildlife-tell.html

Call of the Wild - What Kent's wildlife tell us about climate change

Deal With IT are holding a joint event with RSPB Kent on Friday 16th April - 7pm Landmark Centre Deal High Street on 'The Call of the Wild: What Kent's wildlife & countryside tell us about climate change'.

We have two speakers Michael Walter of Blean Woods National Nature Reserve and Geoff Meaden Canterbury Christchurch University. All Welcome.


Michael Water has been the RSPB site manger of Blean Woods reserve since 1982. The Blean woods National Nature Reserve is a partnership reserve, owned by RSPB, Natural England, Woodland Trust, Canterbury City Council, Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council, with day-to-day management entrusted to RSPB.

Dr Geoff Meaden has just retired as Principal lecturer in Geography from Canterbury Christ Church University and also does research on fisheries for the UN. Geoff is also the PPC for the Green Party in Canterbury & Whistable.