THE RSPCA is urging more people to demonstrate their passion for wildlife by signing up as a Wildlife Friend – as the numbers of volunteers the charity has recruited for the scheme passes the 1,000 mark.
Wildlife Friends proved to be a huge success when it was first launched last year as part of the Big Help Out, the nationwide volunteering initiative launched to mark the King’s Coronation.
And the public’s passion for supporting wildlife has continued this year. So far over 1,100 nature lovers have registered as Wildlife Friends since the initiative was relaunched at the end of March, with all pledging to undertake a variety of simple tasks to protect and nurture wildlife in their own gardens and green spaces.
For those who volunteer it means they are taking part in 2024’s Big Help Out (running from June 7 to 9), and at the same time helping the RSPCA celebrate its 200th birthday on June 16. By signing up, people will also be joining the RSPCA’s one million strong movement to change the lives of animals for the better.
Everyone can help create a better world for every animal. Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare each week, whether you live in a flat, narrowboat or house with a garden – there are tasks suitable for everyone to complete for all the four seasons of the year.
The RSPCA fielded a staggering 83,000 reports about wildlife in need in 2023 when the ‘State of Nature’ report revealed that the decline in wildlife is not letting up and one in six species are at risk of extinction in Great Britain.
The RSPCA is urging everyone to join in to create a better, kinder world for wild animals. With Spring drawing to a close, those signing up as Wildlife Friends have been taking part in ‘No Mow May’ by letting wild flowers grow in their gardens or outdoor spaces to help bees, butterflies and other insects to thrive.
Those without outside spaces, have been able to contact their local councils to see if they are taking part and include a link to a document produced by Plantlife advising on managing road verges to preserve wildlife.
Building a bug hotel is another popular Spring task for volunteers. Bug hotels help attract insects to gardens and they pollinate plants and break down compost. This is a fun way of recycling unwanted materials such as old mugs, wood or plastic containers.
