People-powered conservation charity Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) welcomed a corporate volunteering team from Ecotricity.
The team, who came from various departments within the green energy giant, spent a day helping SVP’s project officer Fred Miller to scythe a wildflower meadow at Capel’s Mill, off Dr Newton’s Way in the centre of Stroud.
The Capel’s Mill area was once home to a thriving mill, but over the years it fell out of use until it became a landfill site. Stroud Valleys Project have transformed the area into a wildlife-rich zone where nature thrives, and where busy people can take time out to relax and enjoy a break. As well as the wildflower meadow, there is also a wildlife pond, a willow bower, and a pathway through woodland towards Brimscombe.
“The Ecotricity team were great,” said SVP project officer Fred Miller.
“We showed them how to scythe and they began to work gently through the Knapweed and Wild Carrot, which was seeding. We left untouched Ragwort with Cinnabar Moth larvae on it… there are still plenty of flowers for the late summer insects.
“In the breaks, it was interesting to hear about their work, such as sorting out tech issues and being involved with research on renewable energy.
“By October, we’ll have cut through most of this wildflower and grassland, allowing it to reseed and controlling the bramble, and removing the nutrients by raking it up.
“Our work on this beautiful site is never over!”
Ecotricity business applications administrator Vincent Jarvis adds, “It was nice to get out of the office and do something a bit more hands on the help the environment, and also to give back to the local community and help with the upkeep of such a lovely space.
“SVP were really friendly and made us feel safe using the scythes. I also appreciated the explanation of why we were doing what we were doing, and exactly how that helped nature.”
If you’d like to find out more about corporate volunteering with Stroud Valleys Project, email kerri@stroudvalleysproject.org or call 01453 753358.
