Laura Ross
Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
On a murky, damp day in December, I found myself wrestling with a pair of thigh-high waders and stepping into a rowing boat bound for the reedbeds. The distant sound of chatter, interspersed with pockets of laughter, brought me closer to a group who make up the 153 volunteers that dedicate their time to the nature reserve. Their challenge for the day, and indeed throughout most of the winter, was cutting back the evasive Willow, allowing the reedbeds to continue to flourish. As an onlooker, despite the bad weather and somewhat laborious task, they were undeniably having fun. So what's the magic ingredient that keeps our volunteers coming back each week?
Peter Hyland (volunteering for seven years)
I originally got involved to keep fit, but I found it such a laugh to be part of this group and it just gives you such a buzz. It's something I look forward to every week now. We believe we're making a difference and that's important to me. I've been fishing here since I was 17, so I wanted to give something back to the reserve. I love it - it beats working, I just wish I'd done it years ago.
David Axford (volunteering for five years)
I enjoy working outside, the camaraderie is brilliant and it's meaningful. I've grown to love this place and I keep coming back to it, so it must be doing me some good. We're all different ages, but everyone just works at their own pace. We're all in it together! I go home shattered, but it's always been an enjoyable day.
Lysbeth Muirhead (volunteering for five years)
Volunteering here is really important to me. We know nature is good for us, it certainly has been for me all my life, and on top of that you're with lots of people who think the same way and are interested in similar things. Everyone does whatever they're capable of, there's no pressure. Everything you do as a team, so dragging sticks in a chain today, is a feel-good and great fun. It's lovely to be on the nature reserve with such a diverse mix of rare plants, animals, insects and birds - I thoroughly recommend it.
Peter Burnett (volunteering for five years)
I come most weeks as I'm retired now. It's nice to get out here, get some exercise and it's great socially. You're with a group of like-minded people and we always have a good laugh. I enjoy learning new skills, like the work we've done rebuilding the boardwalk. The nice thing about volunteering here, is that you're really appreciated. I've learnt a lot about wildlife too - seeing the Black-winged Stilts nesting was a particular highlight.
Mike Evenden (volunteering for six years)
It's good for you - it's a great social and I've made great friends. It's a bit of exercise and we're contributing to a brilliant place where it's obvious that without the volunteers, it wouldn't be able to be managed in the way it is. It's brilliantly organised by Ranger, Dave King, too. So many people consistently turn up, in not very nice weather, but we enjoy ourselves - we're middle-aged but young at heart!
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We'd like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers, who have given over 4000 hours of their time this year, to help support the nature reserve. Without you all, it most certainly would not be possible.
If you're interested in joining our amazing team of volunteers, or would like to find out more about the variety of different roles available, please send an email to [email protected]
This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website
