The damning facts in the UN report that recently revealed it’s ‘code red for humanity’ made for bleak but inevitable reading, as I think we all know that a lot more needs to be done to preserve our planet.
That’s why it is great to live here in Sevenoaks where the environment is always a topic of conversation, from the viral coffee shop Otto’s who refuse to accept that disposable cups are needed to organisations like the NWKCP (North West Kent Countryside Partnership) who want to preserve and protect the nature we’re so blessed to be surrounded by here in the former Garden of England.
Isabel Shaw has been a part of the team for thirteen years, as the manager she oversees “the day to day running of the Partnership – the fundraising, setting up new projects, reporting on what we have achieved, making sure the team of staff and volunteers are well and happy”. Having left Northern Ireland in the nineties and moving around a lot in the years that followed she remarks how quickly she found Kent to be friendly, “I found a sense of community and warmth”.
The NWKCP are a non-profit organisation – one of seven Countryside Partnerships across Kent and Medway. NWKCP work to improve the natural environment for biodiversity, and to connect people with nature. Their work is not limited to our community but across the boroughs of Sevenoaks, Bexley, Dartford and Gravesham on a wide range of projects that include woodland and meadow management, improving school grounds for wildlife, natural flood management, tree planting, environmental education, mental wellbeing projects and more!
CommunityAd had the pleasure of talking to Isabel about why we should all be getting involved.
We’re so blessed to be surrounded by countryside and greenery aren’t we in this area of the world, do you think people have come to appreciate their local environment a little more as a result of the lockdowns?
Definitely! During lockdown our daily exercise became so important for everyone’s wellbeing, and we were obliged to get to know the green spaces on our doorsteps. So many people I have spoken to discovered lovely natural places that they hadn’t previously been aware of during this time. We all got to know our local footpaths and walks, and had time to appreciate the nature that surrounds us. I know that I have kept a few of these local walks as part of my normal routine now and imagine that is the case for many people.
The other thing about this period was that it taught us how important a connection with nature is for our wellbeing – just taking a little time each day to appreciate nature is so good for our mental and physical health.
How crucial are volunteers to your operations? And why should readers who are blessed with a bit of spare time consider coming forward and getting involved?
We simply couldn’t operate without our volunteers – they are central to our work and we depend on them! We are a team of six staff and about sixty volunteers, so you can see how important they are! We carry out two volunteering days a week – Wednesdays and Thursdays – and our volunteers carry out practical conservation tasks on those days, led by a member of the NWKCP team. We also have opportunities for Citizen Science wildlife surveying. It’s such a friendly group and everyone is welcome – no experience necessary. It’s a great way to keep fit, see some beautiful parts of Kent, make a difference to the local environment and have a great time doing so.
Anyone interested in volunteering should email our volunteer coordinator Steph on [email protected].