Chris Packham’s UK Bioblitz visits Yateley Common

TV presenter and naturalist, Chris Packham, has included Yateley Common in his UK Bioblitz tour – the first independent wildlife audit of its kind in the UK.

As part of the Bioblitz, there will be wildlife-spotting activities around the common that local people can join in with.

Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, said:

“Chris Packham’s Bioblitz is an exciting opportunity for people who live near Yateley Common to come along and find out more about the protected species and other interesting wildlife on the common. It’s a very special place with a number of protected species, which we hope local people will be able to spot and learn about.

“Our rangers and volunteers are passionate about wildlife, and work tirelessly to help visitors learn about the special heathland habitats that the common provides. We’re pleased to see an audit like the Bioblitz going ahead across the country, raising the profile of the conservation issues that are so important to our biodiversity.”

Yateley Common is a European protected site of interest, designated for its precious heathland habitats, and its populations of European protected birds; the Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark. The site is also important for its dragonfly populations, heathland butterflies like the Silver-Studded Blue, bees and wasps.

Chris started his Bioblitz tour in the Scottish Highlands on 14 July 2018 and will spend ten days travelling with his team across Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England. Yateley Common is one of 50 sites Chris will be visiting. Hampshire County Council is inviting members of the public to come along and join in on Sunday 22 July and Monday 23 July 2018, providing a great opportunity for children and young people to get involved, and engaged with the natural world to inspire them to conserve and protect it as they grow up. Chris Packham will be popping in for a short time during the activities.

The UK Bioblitz team includes hundreds of experts, species specialists, young conservationists and film makers all working together to investigate the extent to which the nation’s wildlife species are under threat, and to meet and raise money for the local projects working on the conservation of wildlife habitats.

Yateley Common will be one of the beneficiaries from the money raised by the Bioblitz team, who will be raising money for local projects working on the conservation of wildlife habitats. You can support them by donating here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-packham-bioblitz

Chris says:

“I need to see it for myself. I need to meet the people with their fingers on the pulse of our wildlife the length and breadth of the UK, those unsung heroes, the great British naturalists who know their stuff and are making a difference. I need to get a complete first-hand experience of the natural health of the UK. I’m excited and terrified at the same time. I love learning and seeing new places and species but I fear that I will also bear witness to a landscape in huge trouble. I want to spread an awareness of the successes and failures and to raise some money to help combat the latter. And to encourage people, particularly young people to come out and see the beauty for themselves – to touch it, smell it, feel it. If just one youngster learns to love life then it will all be worthwhile. This is not a ‘last chance see’ this is a big chance to make a difference before it’s too late.”

For up to date information about the Bioblitz, follow @YCRangers on Twitter.

More details on Yateley Common available online.

Visit www.chrispackham.co.uk to follow the Bioblitz

Join the Facebook Event

Follow Chris on Twitter

Keep up to date with all CommunityAd articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels: