BTCV, which had more than 90,000 volunteers in England in 2007, has launched its Spring into Action campaign.
Katie Hallam, from BTCV, told Volunteering magazine that so far this year 2008 the charity has had 18,723 volunteers.
The third annual ‘Spring into Action’ campaign will run from 1 May to 8 June 2008, encouraging thousands of people to experience the benefits of environmental conservation, at hundreds of locations across the UK.
BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity. The campaign is supported by Prudential plc and the Cabinet Office, and run in partnership with BBC Breathing Places.
Last year’s ‘Spring into Action’ campaign saw over 18,000 volunteers together give more than 31,000 days of their time to improve their environments at over 760 locations across the UK. From clearing urban spaces to creating wildlife habitats, volunteers made a big difference to their local surroundings.
‘Spring into Action’ 2008 will allow new volunteers to experience first-hand the benefits of BTCV’s conservation programmes. Projects vary from tree planting to dry-stone walling, footpath construction to monitoring wildlife populations. BTCV project leaders provide guidance and training, and volunteers are free to work at their own pace - all ages and abilities are welcome.
Throughout the year BTCV (formerly the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers) supports 140,000 volunteers taking hands-on action to improve their urban and rural surroundings.
Volunteers can join in every once in a while or every week - the choice is theirs. The organisation’s slogan -‘Inspiring people, improving places’ - reflects its aim to create better local environments where people from all cultures feel valued, included and involved.
Tom Flood, Chief Executive, BTCV, said: " Environmental volunteering is one of the most effective ways to encourage a greater understanding of how our behaviour affects the world we live in. ‘Spring into Action’ 2008 will build on the outstanding success of last year’s campaign, inspiring people to improve their local places to the benefit of all."
Sir David Attenborough, a vice president of the charity, added: "I am proud to be a BTCV supporter because I know that 'thinking globally and acting locally' is one of the keys to our future.
“With climate change now an increasing threat, everyone has a responsibility to change their behaviour and their attitudes, but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start.
“ The wonderful thing about BTCV is that it gives people practical opportunities to get involved in looking after their local area, and this opens the door to broader environmental awareness and action. Please support BTCV - the planet needs them!"
You can find details of events happening near you by visiting www.btcv.org or calling the BTCV information line on 01302 388 883.
