Countrycare Reaches 25

In April 2011, Countrycare reached its twenty-fifth year and is organising a series of events in the upcoming months to celebrate.

In April 1986 Countrycare was established as a three year trial project with 50:50 funding from the then Countryside Commission and the District Council. Its original pilot area was restricted to four parishes within the M25 and it started out with just a Countryside Manager. In those early days the priority was in reviewing the state of the District’s countryside and the rights of way network and in making contacts with the local community.

In 1989 the project was expanded to include the whole of the District. From 1990, with growing volunteer support, projects began on the Council’s countryside sites and Country Walks were established.

Today Countrycare’s key objectives are:
• To conserve and promote the landscape and wildlife habitats of the District.
• To improve public access to the countryside and provide for informal recreation.
• To promote a greater understanding and respect for the countryside.
• To involve local communities in all aspects of the Service’s work.
• To manage the Service’s resources in an effective and cost effective manner and to maximise external grant funding.
• To raise the profile of Epping Forest Countrycare and its activities in order to further advance the Service's aims.
• To implement the goals of the Council’s Community Plan.

Epping Forest District Council now has nine Local Nature Reserves and 222 Local Wildlife Sites and Countrycare also works with Parish and Town Councils to manage many other smaller sites.

Volunteers, schools, youth groups and community groups are involved in project days to manage these sites, improving access and biodiversity with woodland and grassland management.

The volunteer group is made up of people from all walks of life some of whom are retired, some unemployed and some with long-term mental health problems. During their time with Countrycare they learn new skills, improve health and gain strong social ties. Some return to employment or gain confidence because of the involvement they have.

Countrycare engages with many schools across the District which are involved with tree planting projects, creating nature areas in their grounds and practical site work. This raises awareness of nature conservation and even exposes the pupils to future employment opportunities.

There is also a volunteer Tree Warden Group coordinated by Countrycare and the EFDC Trees and Landscape team. Numerous projects have been achieved by working with partnership groups such as The Woodland Trust, Essex County Council, Essex Wildlife Trust and City of London, to name a few.

The “50 Favourite Trees” project was launched in 2006 where members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite trees. Following on from that came the Veteran Tree Project which now has a database holding 3,500 veteran and notable trees. Countrycare also runs events including guided walks, talks and exhibitions.

Below are a few facts and figures illustrating the last 25 years:
• 137,000 hours of volunteer time has been given to improving the District. This equates to £856,000 of volunteer assistance*.
• Organised 1560 practical project days.
• Organised the declaration of 8 new Local Nature Reserves since 2000.
• Raised approximately £300,000 of external grant funding since 2000.
• Involved nearly 10,000 school children and youth groups in practical conservation work.
• Organised over 700 walks, talks and events involving 22,000 members of the public.
• Organised the planting of nearly 90,000 trees across the District.

(* based on the Heritage Lottery Fund that sets rates for volunteer assistance at £6.25/hr.)

Countrycare’s longevity and success has been in no small part down to the fantastic community support it has enjoyed. Whether through the help of volunteers on project days or support from the Parish and Town Councils and community groups across the district, it would have not been possible to achieve so much without this input. We hope that we can all continue to work together for the good of the great countryside in which we live and work.

Programme of events celebrating Countrycare’s 25 years

Over the coming months there will be a series of special events that will celebrate different aspects of Countrycare’s work. These kick off on May 6th with “Mad About Moths” in Linder’s Field Local Nature Reserve. “Mad about Moths” aims to raise awareness of nature, the importance survey work and of conserving the countryside.

See www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/countrycare for details.

Other events will include favourite guided walks, a “Try Your Hand” day on a Local Nature Reserve (demonstrations of countryside management techniques by Countrycare staff and the opportunity to put these into action in a real woodland setting), and a tour and activities at the Roding Valley Meadows Local Nature Reserve, EFDC’s first LNR to be designated. The Countrycare volunteers and tree wardens will be having separate celebrations as a ‘thank you’ for all their hard work.

Not all dates are set as yet but keep an eye on the Countrycare website and get involved!www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/countrycare