Get out this autumn: the RSPCA has a scheme for volunteers to help their local wildlife
The RSPCA wants nature lovers to embrace the call of the autumn and sign up to be a Wildlife Friend.
The scheme invites volunteers to take on tasks out in the open, whether in parks or open spaces, in their own back garden, and even in the window box of a high-rise flat.
“British Summer Time”, one of the finest oxymorons ever devised, ended last night, and with the shortening days and the clocks going back, the animal wealthfare charity wants us to spend more time outdoors.
“Don your boots and gardening gloves and have a go at some of the fantastic tasks the RSPCA’s volunteering department have devised so people can play their part in a 1million-strong movement to change the lives of animals for the better,” they say.
Last year around 2,000 people signed up for the charity’s Wildlife Friends scheme, as part of the Big Help Out, a nationwide volunteering initiative. This year, almost the same number of volunteers have already taken part since Wildlife Friends was relaunched in the spring.
Among the tasks they have been working on are spring-cleaning bird feeders, leaving food out for hedgehogs as well as larger projects, such as building bug hotels and planting wildlife-friendly plants to support local ecosystems.
Feed the birds: cleaning feeders and bird boxes are among the seasonal tasks for volunteers
There are 24 self-service tasks for Wildlife Friends volunteers to complete in 2024, with different tasks set for each of the four seasons. Points are earned when completing tasks and those volunteers who earn a set number or more during a season are awarded a seasonal certificate.
“We all share our neighbourhoods with wonderful wildlife and we need to protect them,” said Brian Reeves, the RSPCA’s head of volunteering. “By becoming an RSPCA Wildlife Friend, animal lovers can join with their community to make a safe space for the animals who share our world.
“The RSPCA’s Wildlife Friends volunteering scheme is great for anyone who can spare a few minutes, or a couple of hours, to create a better and kinder world for every animal.
“We’ve got seven great tasks to inspire everyone into action this autumn. It is a great time of the year to get out and enjoy gardens, open spaces and woodlands and the tasks can all be completed close to home.
“By getting involved, people can help make their communities safer for wildlife. Small tasks like these all make a huge difference for wild animals and their welfare. We had a great response last year and we want more people to pitch in again as we aim to create a one million strong movement for animal welfare, during our 200th year.”
The autumn tasks that volunteers can access by registering online are:
- Cleaning bird feeders ready for the winter
- Creating a mini compost heap
- Cleaning out nest boxes
- Discarding pumpkin leftovers carefully
- Taking part in Hallowclean
- Helping hedgehogs get ready for hibernation
- Keeping wildlife safe from bonfires
“Wildlife Friends make a difference for the nation’s wildlife by helping to create habitats and environments where wildlife can thrive and be safe from harm, and promote ways people can help the animals in their neighbourhood,” the RSPCA says.
By getting involved in volunteering to support wildlife, people can also free up time for RSPCA officers to tackle cruelty and neglect cases.
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