Pictured above: Environmental Science students
participating with Wildlife Trust work
The University of Northampton has become an official business
supporter of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,
Northamptonshire and Peterborough, strengthening a long-standing
relationship with the charity.
For several years, Environmental Science students and staff of
the School of Science and Technology at The University of
Northampton have visited local Wildlife Trust nature reserves to
gather data for teaching and research - studying organisms as
diverse as small mammals, bees and parasitic plants. Some graduates
have gone on to work for the Wildlife Trust and have returned to
give guest lectures to students following in their wake.
In supporting the work of their local Wildlife Trust, The
University of Northampton will be helping to protect wildlife in
the Trust's 129 nature reserves across the region. Dr Jeff
Ollerton, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, School of
Science and Technology, said:
"This is an important partnership; the Wildlife Trust maintains,
preserves and enhances key sites in our environment. In common with
The University of Northampton, it also places huge importance on
the role of education. Through this shared aim we hope that the
Trust and the University can make a real difference not only in
2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, but well into the
future."
Staff and students of the University can visit any of the sites
and the Wildlife Trust estimates that 95% of the population live
within just five miles of one of their reserves. The location of
sites and maps for how to get there can be found at the Trust's
website: http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/index.php
The University will be directly involved in the Trust's
forthcoming BioBlitz campaign which is set to take place from 6pm
on Saturday 5 June to 6pm on Sunday 6 June 2010 at Bradlaugh
Fields, Northampton, close to Park Campus.
For anyone wishing to get involved with the Trust's work there
are volunteering sessions and training workshops on subjects as
diverse as pond dipping and identifying bird song, to dry stone
walling and coppicing.
Contact the Trust directly for more information 01604 405285,
email: northamptonshire@wildlifebcnp.org