Wilder Kent Blog

Volunteer, Margery Thomas, explores winter on Hothfield Heathlands - one of Kent's last four valley bogs and one of its few remaining fragments of open heath.

At Kent Wildlife Trust, our volunteers are one of our most precious resources in the journey to create a #WilderKent. Without their passion, dedication, and tireless efforts, so much of what we achieve wouldn’t be possible.

A run down and overgrown medieval churchyard in Sandwich has been restored to a beautiful wildlife haven by a group of local volunteers who live locally and are part of the congregation at the church. In this amazing story, you'll hear from the people who brought this churchyard back to life and find out what they discovered when you peeled the ivy back from the tombstones.

By August, floral glory has passed from the orchids (heath spotted, southern marsh and a few large hybrids) to the heather or ling. As ever, we hope for a protracted display of purple in the heathy areas, which is likely if the cool nights persist. Orchid seed is now ripening. Dust-like, dispersed on the wind, the seed contains no nutrients to support germination so needs a mycorrhizal fungus to supply nutrients from the soil to its roots. From seed to flowering takes three years or more.

The annual pinnacle of Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wilder Volunteering Recognition Programme’ is the Wilder Kent Volunteer Awards that we are proud to host in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust.

So much has happened since joining Kent Wildlife Trust as a Volunteer Trainee Warden on 3 July 2023. My life has done a complete 360 (for the better, I should add!). 8 months ago, I was working as a Graphic Designer leading a very lone existence in my small study at home or making the very sad commute to a grey, industrial, business park on the Medway estate. But now?... my life is surrounded by the calming colours of nature and days are spent either shadowing 2 Estate Wardens, helping out on task days, on training courses, completing wildlife surveys or attending study days.

Our volunteers are at the heart of Kent Wildlife Trust’s work. With their time, skills, passion and energy we reach more people and work at greater scale and pace. Their contributions help ensure that Kent’s natural spaces are preserved for future generations. Through practical conservation work, data collection, education, community engagement and much much more, our volunteers are making a tangible difference.

Update from Nina Jones, protected warden for Sandwich & Pegwell Bay.