Birthday celebration for amazing volunteers of the South Downs
December 5, 2021
For 40 years, they’ve been dedicated custodians of the precious South Downs landscape.
And now, as the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service marks its 40th anniversary, a poignant film has been produced to showcase the amazing breadth of volunteering in the National Park.
From coppicing, wildlife surveys, laying hedges to public engagement, the Volunteer Rangers are one of the cornerstones of conserving the special qualities of the South Downs.
From humble beginnings in 1981, coming into being three decades before the National Park was created in 2010, the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service has grown to around 300 volunteers today.
The touching film has been released today to coincide with International Volunteer Day (5 December, 2021).
Ron Wilder, a former RAF Wing Commander from Petersfield (pictured above), has dedicated many years of his retirement to the Volunteer Ranger Service and said his proudest moment has been helping to re-introduce water voles to the River Meon in Hampshire.
He said: “Some of the motivation I’ve felt being a volunteer ranger is seeing the difference we really do make out in the landscape.
“Water voles were missing from this habitat because of mink which decimated the population that we had here.
“By controlling the mink and creating the right habitat by doing a lot of work on the river and its banks, we’ve been able to re-introduce water voles. Seeing evidence of them four or five generations on from the ones we originally re-introduced is a very satisfying moment. We’ve also seen an increase in other wildlife because the water vole helps support the overall balance of biodiversity.
“It’s also allowed whole villages and landowners to get involved with the project and an increased sense of the community supporting the biodiversity in the river valley.”
Grandmother Sathi Sivapragasam, from Hove, said: “I’ve always been interested in nature because of my gardening. Volunteering made me bring my life forward. It’s just lovely working together as part of a team.”
Kirsty Ferris, who hails from Littlehampton and is also a Youth Ambassador for the National Park, said: “I found when I was struggling with mental health, volunteering gave me something to look forward to and something I was confident in. Coppicing is one of my favourite tasks. I find it really satisfying to come back and see all the wildflowers that have grown because they have more light. Coppicing also helps the hazel dormouse, which is one of my favourite animals in the National Park, because they can get more food and nest space.
“Volunteering is a way to be in nature and you also learn lots of skills you can use in other jobs or hobbies. You’re also helping your local environment in a very direct way.”
Keen wildlife photographer Roger Kiernan, from Eastbourne, said: “Most people don’t realise that they don’t need to go to Africa on safari. There’s a whole safari under their feet and in the bush alongside them! I take great pleasure in bringing the biodiversity to people’s eye level so they can really understand what insects are like. If you see something and appreciate it, you’re more likely to care for it.
“The work we do as volunteers really does increase the chances of insects flourishing. We clear areas, letting sunlight in and encourage lots of different insects and butterflies into our wonderful chalk grassland.”
Trevor Edwards volunteers to be a heathland Dog Ambassador in Hampshire with his dog Merlin, sharing simple messages about responsible dog walking, such as picking up dog poo and keeping dogs on leads around livestock.
Trevor, who hails from Bordon, said: “This seemed like a great opportunity to be part of the community and get involved and we haven’t looked back since. We’ve met so many people and become friends with a lot of them.
“Merlin loves it – he’s more the ambassador than I am. I help him!”
Steve Brookman, Chair of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service, said: “Being able to celebrate 40 years shows the level of commitment given by volunteers in the National Park, This is a great film, really inspiring, forward looking and inclusive. I am very proud to be chairing the VRS Committee and look forward to supporting the National Park into the future.”
There are also many other organisations involving volunteers in the conservation of the South Downs. Together they form the SDNP Volunteering Network and contribute a staggering 91,000 days of volunteer activity each year to protecting and enhancing the area’s unique landscape, precious wildlife and heritage as well as engaging people with this special place. For more information visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/volunteering/
- A full history of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service can be seen here: southdowns.gov.uk/volunteering/volunteering/volunteering-ranger-service/history-of-the-vrs/
Video and images courtesy of Neo