Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2008 | Page 58

COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING countryside news life COMPILED BY: TONY RIDD DO YOU HAVE A COUNTRYSIDE STORY? CALL TONY ON 07966 292334 58 Giving Wildlife a helping hand Woodland management grants The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is inviting local businesses on the Island to support its work in the conservation of local wildlife and habitats by joining the Trust as a Wildlife Investor. Sue Walton, Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says, “The membership scheme is open to organisations of all sizes. As a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation and environmental education, your membership is vital in supporting the Wildlife Trust. We would love to hear from you” If you would like to find out more about being a Wildlife Investor, and the potential benefits to you and your staff, please contact Trudy Gough at the Wildlife Trust on 01489 774400 or visit our website www.hwt.org.uk for more information. The Forestry Commission are offering 80% grants of standard costs for specific woodland management to help enhance and maintain habitat for red squirrels. The grant includes the thinning of overstorey trees and cutting of deteriorating hazel coppice. Application must be submitted by 29 February 2008. Contact: Landscape Therapy on 740067/07966 292 334 for more information. Lynn Common forest works NT continue links with the ramblers The National Trust continue their partnership with the Ramblers Association after their successful ‘Access Furniture (styles & gates) Survey’ and are now working together to improve the public information on open access land. This will be incorporated with the NT’s interpretation plan and used on information boards that the NT will be erecting over the next two to three years. The People’s Trust for Endangered Species will be starting a two year project this month, restoring parts of ‘Lynn Common’ back to a heathland habitat whilst still retaining clumps of pine trees for squirrel territory. The site has an interesting history of Victorian gravel works and it is hoped that public access will be permitted in the future. For more information please contact the PTES on 0207 498 4533. Award Winners Island Life writer, Tony Ridd, was awarded the NFU’s ‘Conservation Award’ at this years AGM, for his work in environm ental management and his role in running the Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition, raising awareness of country skills and the importance of habitat management. Richard Jackson received the ‘Outram Trophy’, for his services in agriculture and his support of the farming industry over and above the call of duty. Island Life - www.isleofwight.net