EDF are passionate to engage with their local communities so were keen to support the Trust to recruit and train “Wilder Welcome volunteers” at the Trust’s Idle Valley and Attenborough visitor centres in the north and south of the county respectively. These volunteers will greet visitors, provide information about each reserve and its wildlife and host introductory on-site activities.

Over the years EDF’s West Burton and Cottam Power Stations in north Nottinghamshire have supported the Trust’s local education programs, sponsored the Trust’s Annual Environmental Awards and more recently the Trust’s Wildlife on Your Doorstep (WOYD) awards. This focus on engagement is vital, especially when awareness of our environment, habitats and wildlife is critical to achieve the required changes to stem climate change and habitat loss by 2030.

EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with 1GW of renewable generation in operation and over 4GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.

Blake Coghill, the Trust’s Wilder Nottinghamshire Officer, said “The Wilder Welcome Volunteers play a vital role in creating engaging and inclusive spaces at our flagship reserves. They will provide accessible points of information as they walk around interacting and greeting visitors, sharing maps and discussing our local nature. We have started recruitment for this exciting role and have already begun to induct our new volunteers in learning more about our flagship sites and what makes them special so that they can share this with our visitors. We are still recruiting and welcome applications. The Wilder Welcome Volunteers are an exciting step in our aim to engage 1 in 4 people to take action for nature.”

Gavin Lancaster is the Plant Manager for West Burton A. He said: “We have worked in partnership with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for many years and welcome their input into our local community. It’s very important to us to help where we can and the volunteering initiative will open up opportunities for visitors to find out more specific information about the local wildlife and their habitats and learn about the amazing wildlife in their areas.”