23 November 2012

What YOU Can Do for Wildlife: Part 11


We’re nearing the end of Froglife’s  top 12 ideas for amphibian and reptile friendly actions.  We have been pulling together a range of ideas that show whatever you do, wherever you come from and however much time or resources you have, there is something you can do today to make a difference. 

Doing something wildlife-friendly will enrich your life, make you feel good about being part of a positive action, and potentially change your career or circle of friends. 


Idea Number 11.  Join the Giving Team
 
 
Donations help fund our work out and about in the community
 
Giving a regular or one off donation to the work of an organisation like Froglife can go a long way, as many projects require match funding – this means that big, grant giving bodies will fund projects, but often not 100% of what is needed.  Every £1 that comes in from individuals can help Froglife access £10 from a landfill community fund or another source, meaning that every donations grows.
 
“Wildlife conservation charities and projects have big ideas to help protect the animals and habitats we care about into the future,” explains Kathy Wormald, Froglife’s CEO.  “This includes managing areas for wildlife, creating new habitats, undertaking research and monitoring, campaigning for change, supporting and training volunteers, and introducing new generations to our natural heritage.” 
 
Not only can your donation help directly with positive solutions to the threats wildlife face, giving also feels good and you join a team of kind, supportive people with a passion for nature. 

“Our supporters are amazing people,” adds Melanie Hamlett, Froglife’s Finance Officer.  “People can be so generous in finding a way to help amphibians and reptiles, and it’s wonderful that they care.  I think sometimes people remember their own early experiences with frogspawn and tadpoles, and want to help make sure that future generations have the same opportunities to learn about these amazing animals. ”
 
There are a wide range of ways you can donate to Froglife:

·         You can donate online or via post here

·         You can text NEWT13 followed by a donation of up to £10 to 70070

·         Join the team and become a Froglife Friend

·         Set up an online piggy bank with Ploink

 
Thank you to all our supporters and donors for helping protect frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards, ponds and woodlands into the future.
 

20 November 2012

Wildlife and Roads: Froglife’s Latest Newsletter

Froglife is very excited to announce that our biannual newsletter Natterchat has had a makeover, with the new Autumn/Winter edition now available.  We’ve all been busy working away on exciting new content and design and printed copies have been winging their way to Froglife Friends.  An online version is available here.

The theme of this edition of Natterchat is Wildlife and Roads.  The extended publication features an article on road ecology by Froglife’s Conservation Coordinator Dr Silviu Petrovan, as well as summaries of some related research and policy by Paul Furnborough and Rob Williams.  There is also an interview with author Hugh Warwick, Froglifer James McAdie filling us in on an educational project in Peterborough, and trustee Professor Roger Downie sharing stories from Trinidad and Tobago.  Check inside for a couple of book giveaways too!

the new edition of Natterchat, with cover photo by Dave Kilbey
One new feature is our What I’m Up To page – where we are find out more about what volunteers, supporters and general amphibian and reptile enthusiasts are doing to help.  This time, we meet the lovely Annemarie, whose beautiful garden in Scotland is a haven for frogs.  If you would like to share your actions to inspire others in the newsletter, or you have a suggestion of someone who’s doing something wonderful for wildlife, do let us know. Please get in touch with Sam.Taylor@froglife.org 

We really hope you enjoy Natterchat and find something there to make you think, try something new, or learn more about the amazing amphibians and reptiles Froglife works to conserve.

19 November 2012

BBC Calls out For Wildlife Gardeners

Is your garden teeming with wildlife? 

Have you actively encouraged birds, bees, bats and bugs to call your back-yard their home? Have you and your neighbours got together to create a hedgehog highway?  Have you bought the local garden centre out of bird boxes? Or welcomed in reptiles with corrugated iron sheets? Could you share the secrets of how you made your family garden a sanctuary for Britain’s favourite wildlife? 

If you are as passionate about supporting all creatures great and small as we are, then the makers of a new programme for the BBC wants to hear from you!  Froglife is helping Outline Productions spread the word about a new landmark series they are making for BBC ONE about the perilous state of Britain’s wildlife and what we can all do to help.
 
Whether you have a small city garden, a big country one, a farm or a high-rise balcony - there is so much that can be done to support the wildlife all around us.  Our gardens are Britain’s most vital nature reserve and we want to find inspirational stories of families who have turned their small patch into wildlife friendly spaces.

The idea is to find amazing wildilfe gardeners, so that the public can follow their lead and make their gardens wildlife friendly too. 

So if you’ve put in a pond, built a rockery, assembled a log pile or done anything whatsoever to discover the amazing wildlife living on your doorstep, your story could help inspire other British families to do the same.