The benefits of spending time outdoors has been well highlighted over recent years and staff at Albumedix have certainly expressed their enjoyment of being out of the office for a day and getting stuck in with some physical conservation volunteering activities.

Kate Denton, Regulatory Affairs Manager at Albumedix stated, “We had a great day at Skylarks helping to clear a ride entrance to a meadow from overhanging trees (mainly hawthorn and blackthorn) and brambles which made a nice change from the hay raking of previous years.” Kate added that it was “Quite exciting to be let loose with handsaws and loppers – of course we were very ably trained and guided by Chris [Reserves Manager (South)] and the other more experienced Trust volunteers.”

After a picnic lunch, the team went for a wander around the reserve and visited the conservation grazing sheep and cattle on site – doing the work of hay cutting and eating it on the spot! The group spotted several butterflies including a speckled wood and a small copper and quite a few large blue-green hawker dragonflies. As a wetland site, Kate said, “There were lots of geese both around the lake and flying over, mainly Canada and Greylag, I think, together with the usual mallards, coots and waders on the ponds.” Thanks to support from Albumedix, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is able to continue managing Skylarks Nature Reserve and many other reserves across the county.

Holly McCain, Senior Development Officer from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said “We really enjoy meeting up with Kate and the team from Albumedix each year who usually help us with the hay rake on a wildflower meadow a site close to their office. This year we tasked them with new activities and introduced them to the livestock conservation grazing team who work 24/7.  We really appreciate the support of Albumedix (and their former set-up as Novozymes Biopharma) and we look forward to celebrating their 10^th year anniversary as one of our Wildlife Guardians in December”.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is keen to help companies improve the health and wellbeing of their staff by encouraging them to participate in community giving and corporate volunteering.  Business members of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust benefit from being part of a network of local companies committed to protecting the natural environment – providing further opportunities such as helping to raise companies’ profiles and attracting new customers.

On Thurs 25^th October (9.30-12.00noon), Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is hosting the second in its series of free ‘Nature, Health and Wellbeing’ business events, to be held at Hexgreave Hall Estate and Business Park (Farnsfield, Newark, NG22 8LS). For more information and to register, please call 0115 958 8242 or email askdevelopment@nottswt.co.uk.

For more information about Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts’ Corporate Support Programme go to www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/corporate-support/ or ask for Holly McCain on 0115 958 8242.