June heralds National Volunteer Week. Sophie Farrah revisits the lovely London Wetland Centre and meets some of the willing souls who give up their time to run it
One hot summer, many years ago, I spent several weeks clearing out a pond at the then newly opened and relatively sleepy London Wetland Centre in Barnes, before disappearing back to school. Fast-forward 15 years (or so) and that pond is now inhabited by otters, the centre is thriving and the future looks wonderfully bright.
National conservation charity the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) celebrated its 70th anniversary last year. Founded by ornithologist and artist Sir Peter Scott, son of Antarctic explorer Captain Scott, the Trust runs nine reserves across the UK, as well as carrying out varied and vital research and conservation work around the globe. Tucked into a large loop of the Thames, its unique London site first opened in 2000, while current Managing Director David Green has been at the helm for just under two years. Coming from a background in running visitor attractions with a conservation aspect, David is in his element at Barnes.
“I always wanted a job in which I felt that, in some way, I was making a difference,” he explains. “Children and young people are the conservationists of the future. They have to get interested somewhere, so the ultimate motivation for me is that the next David Attenborough could be that little girl visiting today!
“Having said that, I want people of all ages to visit us, have a great experience and take home messages that will change their lives just a little bit. If we all do that – change our lives just a little bit – it will add up to one really big difference in the end. That’s what we’re about.”
David Green
At the London Wetland Centre, visitors have 42 hectares of picturesque lakes, meadows, ponds and pathways to explore, as well as the opportunity to experience breathtaking views from one of the six wildlife-viewing hides, or from the picturesque lakeside café. There are ducks and water birds from around the world (some resident, some wild), cows and sheep, and not forgetting the delightful pair of otters. There are regular tours, talks, walks and feeds, as well as a constant stream of workshops and events, craft activities every weekend, and more. It is a huge operation: one that simply wouldn’t work without the centre’s 30 members of staff and, crucially, its team of 200 committed volunteers.
“There is never a dull moment,” laughs Sarah, a volunteer for nearly two years. “I help out mainly with habitat management – reed cutting, maintaining the hides and looking after the shingle beaches and islands. Some days we row out to the islands, which is always fun, trying not to capsize the boat! I love it, but it’s about the bigger picture too. You do some work on the shingle beach, for example, and then the next breeding season you’ll see birds nesting on it. You can really see what you’re achieving, and that makes it so worthwhile.”
As well as carefully maintaining the beautiful surroundings and precious wildlife, volunteers also play a vital role in assisting with ongoing scientific research. Scott, a freelance photographer, helps out on the bird-ringing programme.
Birdspotting with volunteer Sarah
“We catch the birds in mist nets, pop a small ring around their ankle, let them go and hope that they get captured again somewhere else,” he explains. “One of the little siskins that I ringed turned up in Carmarthenshire! It’s fascinating to find out where they go.
“I feel like all of my work – whether it’s bird ringing or driving a tractor to fetch woodchips, raking up leaves or repairing a gate – directly benefits the birds that come here and keeps the habitat healthy. And if nature is better off, then so are we all!”
The site itself was formed of four disused Victorian reservoirs and was the first urban project of its kind in the UK. Today, however, it is very easy to forget that you are anywhere remotely urban at all.
“It really is an oasis in London – for both wildlife and people,” enthuses Sarah. “Some mornings I have a wander round before the centre opens. I look over the reed beds and it’s completely peaceful – but then, on certain days, you can see The Shard! It’s surreal. You don’t get that anywhere else.”
This rare urban tranquillity, so much enjoyed by volunteers and visitors alike, also attracts around seven species of bat to the reserve, making it one of the best places in London to spot them. In the summer months there are regular ‘bat walks’, giving members of the public a chance to learn more and actually see these elusive furry flyers in action.
“When I started, I didn’t even know what a bat detector was!” laughs Helen, a volunteer at the centre for nearly eight years. “But now I’m actually leading the bat walks, and I love it. Most people who come on the walks have never seen a bat and they are amazed to find them in London. It’s so great to be able to chat to these people and, hopefully, inspire them. They may even go home and put up a bat box themselves!”
Volunteer Malcolm
Malcolm, another long-serving volunteer, also enjoys the visitor-facing side of the role.
“I actually started out on the grounds. It was good exercise – better than going to the gym!” he laughs. “But now I do meeting and greeting and some of the tours. I love passing on information that I’ve gleaned to the visitors. It makes the day more enjoyable for them. If you can tell a story, people are more likely to listen, and I love that.”
For 2017, David Green’s plans include transforming the centre’s impressive glass observatory, launching a new series of walks and 15-minute talks, refurbishing the café and introducing an expert lecture programme, as well as several new family events.
“We’re also doing some guided tour training with a specialist trainer who works with some of the very best attractions in London, because that is the league I want us to be batting in,” he says with pride. “For the WWT and for the people of this community, I want the centre to be the best it possibly can.
“All the staff and volunteers here are so committed. They’re out there meeting people and enthusing them about what we do, and the buzz you get from that is just brilliant. This should be a place for everybody, so the more local people we can involve, the better.”
Whether as a visitor or a volunteer, it seems, there has never been a better time to escape to the London Wetland Centre.
- For more information on visiting the WWT London Wetland Centre or becoming a volunteer visit: wwt.org.uk
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