Wildlife at Work spring 2016

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WILDLIFE TRUST CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

ISSUE 34 Spring 2016 Registered Charity No. 1000412

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES How your company can make a difference

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Wildlife Gardening at Work Awards page 2 Introducing our newest partnership page 4 Climate change and the Wildlife Trust page 6

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WILDLIFE AT WORK

CONTENTS

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MEMBER CHALLENGES

BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP ANIMAL MAGIC

STAFF ENGAGEM

ENT

WILDLIFE GARDENING AT WORK AWARDS 2016

CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE

Now open f entri or es

Duckingham Palace at David Ball Group

CATERPILLAR AT WORK

Cover image taken by Chris Lawrence

Now Spring has finally sprung, we’re delighted to announce the launch of this year’s Wildlife Gardening at Work Awards.

John, Rachel and Helen

Contact Us

For more information on how your business can support the Wildlife Trust visit www.wildlifebcn.org or contact Rachel Hopper, Corporate Partnerships Development Manager, 01954 713 554 or rachel.hopper@wildlifebcn.org John Constable, Corporate Partnerships Manager, 01954 713 557 or john.constable@wildlifebcn.org Helen Daniel, Fundraising Officer, 01954 713 560 or helen.daniel@wildlifebcn.org

/The Wildlife Trust BCN wildlifebcn Wildlife Trust BCN Some part/all of your donations could be used to make a Contributing Third Party (CTP) payment to a landfill operator to secure a grant through the Landfill Communities Fund.

It’s easy to make a difference for wildlife where you work, whether you start a project from scratch or improve an existing space. We have a resource pack of inspiring ideas to help, and there are several categories to enter: Most Improved Wildlife Garden Best Newcomer Wildlife Garden Best Employee Engagement in a Wildlife Garden Best Use of Recycled Materials in a Wildlife Garden Best Small Space Wildlife Garden Best Wildlife Sighting in a Wildlife Garden

You can enter as many categories as you like, or focus on just one! The key thing is to get active and do something to help wildlife thrive, as each small step will have a positive effect.

We’re looking forward to seeing what you can do in your workplace. Previous entrants have reported benefits for their business as well as wildlife, as staff really enjoyed being involved in the scheme. With positive, happy colleagues and a flourishing outside space, it will surely improve well-being at work and first impressions for visitors.

Contact Helen now to request your resource pack. Closing date for entries is 31st May 2016 and we will announce the winners in the summer edition of Wildlife at Work.

We are delighted and honoured to be chosen as the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce’s charity of the year from April 2016. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with business leaders and to promote the work that we do in the county.

The Chamber has always been supportive of charities and initiatives which enhance the wellbeing of local communities, and our work being recognised is a strong endorsement and a huge vote of confidence.

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STAFF ENGAGEM

ISSUE 28 SPRING 2016

CAMBOURNE

10K

Anglian Water’s bug hotel

You still have a little time to enter a team into our Cambourne 10k Business Challenge, so contact Helen for more details. If this sounds a bit too energetic, then why not sponsor our staff? The race takes place on Sunday 10 April and all funds raised by teams running for the Trust will help local wildlife. To make a donation, visit: justgiving.com/twtbcn Previous entrants with Brock

The bee house at Building Services Design

David Ball Group’s bug hotel

Feeding station at David Ball Group

APPRENTICE CHALLENGE UNDERWAY Students from The College of Animal Welfare have been busy organising a variety of activities as part of our Apprentice Challenge. They enjoyed working together on fundraising plans and their cake and savoury sale proved very popular with all comers. In the next issue of Wildlife at Work we’ll announce the winner of the challenge – the team which raised the most from their £50 seed fund. Don’t forget to let us know what your company has been doing.

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NEW MEMBERS

WILDLIFE AT WORK

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CORPORATE MEMBER

We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Cambridge Building Society. We will be working together to encourage youngsters to think about the nature in their gardens and create homes for the wildlife that they might encounter.

The Cambridge’s Head of Marketing Carole Charter said: “We’re really excited about working with the Wildlife Trust BCN to get children thinking about the world outside their home. It’s a great opportunity for children of all ages to get involved with activities that are not only fun but educational.

Many of our staff have a personal interest in wildlife and enjoy spending their free time outdoors and close to nature.

With The Cambridge already running a comprehensive community programme, working with the branch of the Wildlife Trust that is on our doorstep is a natural fit. The charity does such a great job of protecting nature in our community for us all to enjoy.”

Launching our partnership with the Cambridge Building Society Credit: Fiona Gilsenan

To get involved with #Homes for Wildlife visit your local branch or wildlifebcn.org/homesforwildlife

THE GREAT BENEFITS OF CORPOR In the last issue of Wildlife at Work we outlined the 3 new levels of corporate membership, and here we have summarised the benefits associated with each level.

We will be in touch over the coming months to discuss what these changes mean for your company’s membership. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Rachel Hopper.

PARTNER - £5,000+ DEMONSTRATE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY ENHANCE YOUR BRAND PROFILE BOOST EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

Get involved with local conservation projects that benefit the community Opportunities for joint campaigns, events and publicity One bespoke staff engagement activity included per year* *Subject to availability and maximum group sizes

N UPDATE

CONSERVATIO

WORKING WITH ANIMALS

ISSUE 28 SPRING 2016

At the start of the year we welcomed two new members of staff: Matt Johnson, Livestock Officer for Bedfordshire, and Steve Spain, Livestock Assistant for Northamptonshire.

New livestock staff often means new sheepdogs, and in Bedfordshire we are now a fair way along this process as Lass joined the team in February. As well as the cost of purchasing her, Matt will need training in working with sheepdogs, and there are of course the ongoing costs, such as dog food and veterinary bills.

These dogs are very important for the work that we do, as they manage the livestock that we use for grazing on some of our reserves. If you would

like to support the Trust by sponsoring a sheepdog, please contact John Constable.

Lass, the sheepdog Credit: Matt Johnson

Red poll cattle Credit: Matthew Roberts

PORATE MEMBERSHIP INVESTOR - £1,000+

SUPPORTER - £500+

Support and advice to improve business practices

Access to information and resources

Feature in our publications

Acknowledgement in our publications

Discount on staff engagement activities

Opportunities to participate in staff engagement activities All the above subscriptions are per annum and exclude VAT

A big ‘thank you’ goes to corporate member Colpac, who last year came to the aid of some of our cattle, a vital part of our grassland management to retain the variety of wildflowers.

Our three red poll cattle were grazing at Flitwick Moor nature reserve in Bedfordshire, an area with no mains water supply so we had to transport water in a bowser.

It needed to be refilled regularly, and the nearest place was five miles away at our office in Toddington.

Colpac, who are based on the industrial estate opposite Flitwick Moor, very kindly let us fill the bowser from their supply, saving us many trips and a lot of time, and ensuring that our cattle had plenty to drink in the summer heat.

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WILDLIFE AT WORK

BUSINESS RELA TIONSHIPS

In December 2015 representatives from 195 countries assembled in Paris for the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The aim was to build a coalition to help curb global warming, and the participating countries ratified the Paris Agreement to reduce their carbon output and to keep global warming below 2°C. Tackling climate change is a global effort and one which the Wildlife Trust BCN is a part of through our Great Fen Restoration project.

Corporate member Cambridge University Press has created a fantastic infographic detailing the major issues of climate change.

A Wicked Problem Š Frank P. Incropera 2016 Cambridge University Press 9781107109070

TIONSHIPS BUSINESS RELA

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

ISSUE 28 SPRING 2016

GET INVOLVED! If you are interested in helping us to make a difference, get in touch.

Contact John Constable for more information on how to get involved.

The Great Fen Credit: Caroline Fitton

Corporate member GreenAir Cars has become the first company in Cambridgeshire to offset more carbon emissions than it creates, making it “carbon positive”. The move reinforces the private hire taxi firm’s commitment to minimise its impact on the environment, whilst not compromising on vehicle quality and service. Co-founder Justin Ott says: “We realise our type of business can be damaging to the environment. By working with the Wildlife Trust we’re hoping to give something back to the local community and preserve the landscape for future generations.

Each mile travelled with GreenAir Cars converts to cash to support the Great Fen, returning the aptly-named Engine Farm to native marshland. So choosing to travel with us means passengers are making a positive environmental choice”.

AMAZING WORK! Thank you to volunteers from the Advanced Technologies and Solutions team at Caterpillar, who spent a day working on a willow maze in Peterborough.

Initially planted in 2014 as part of the Caterpillar Foundation sponsored Go Wild!

Project, it was time for maintenance work by cutting, weaving and replanting the trees. When the willows mature, the maze will become a traditional feature for everyone to enjoy: a fascinating natural space for discovery, fun and relaxation.

Teamwork on the maze

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WILDLIFE AT WORK

SAVE THE DATE 16th and 23rd April 2016 Dawn Chorus Paddle and guided walk from Ditchford Nature Reserve with a Wildlife Trust expert. Book at wildlifebcn.org/canoe2

13th May 2016 onwards Bat punt safaris at dusk on the River Cam with a bat expert.

Book at wildlifebcn.org/events/bat-punting-safaris

11th June 2016 Trumpington Meadows Discovery Day. Celebrate the official opening of our newest reserve at our family day with activities, crafts and nature walks. Bring a picnic or enjoy the refreshments available.

Trumpington Meadows Credit: Martin Baker

THANK YOU

TO ALL OF OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS PLATINUM

STANDARD

The Biodiversity Consultancy • Cambridge Building Society

Acorn House Veterinary Surgery • An Norvys • Athene Communications • Barnwell Trailers • British Racing Drivers’ Club • Cambridge Belfry Hotel • Cambridge Econometrics Ltd • Cambridge Regional College • Cambridge Water Company • Canoe2 • Cemex • Centrica (Peterborough Power Station) • Cranfield University • Creative Tops • Downing College Cambridge • GreenAir Cars • Hellidon Lakes Golf & Spa Hotel • Highgate House • JB Shropshire & Sons • The Jordans & Ryvita Company Ltd • Lockhart Garrett Ltd • The Marshall Group of Companies • Mott MacDonald • Moulton College Ltd • Perkins Group Ltd • Richard Buxton Environmental & Public Law • Rotary Club of St Neots St Mary’s • RPS Group • RWE Generation UK • Spendlove Contracting • Vine House Farm •

GOLD Hewitsons • Prologis UK Ltd • UK Power Networks

SILVER Anglian Water Ltd • Arqiva Ltd • Central England Co-operative • NFU Mutual Cambridge • Orton Hall Hotel and Spa • PalmerSport • Scott Bader • Scudamore’s Punting Company • Unilever Research Colworth

BRONZE Alpro Soya • Building Services Design • Cambridge Steiner School • Cambridge University Press • Center Parcs Woburn Forest • Colpac Ltd • David Ball Group • Gardenworks Tree Surgery • Granta Park • Kier Homes • KierWSP • Lafarge Tarmac • Method • Roem Ltd • Wesley Coe

Weetabix • Wellcome Trust • Whittlebury Park LLP • Willowbrook

BUSINESS SUPPORTERS Ark House Veterinary Surgery • Carter Jonas • Emmanuel College • Greens of Soham • Mackays • Trinity College • University of Northampton

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Could you help us raise awareness of our vital conservation work by sponsoring a community event or activity?

We have a range of sponsorship opportunities for local businesses starting at £1,000.

Please contact Rachel Hopper to discuss further.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the creative team at Method who have lovingly produced our corporate newsletter pro bono for the enjoyment of our business supporters. If you’d like to see other examples of effective marketing communication products, please visit methodcreative.co.uk

01223 491350