Pirbright staff and volunteers helped clear more than 500 square metres of invasive gorse in a single morning, supporting the restoration of rare heathland habitat at Bullswater Common - located on the Institute’s doorstep.
Last month, members of the Energy and Environment Team and Animal Services joined Tasha Feddery from Surrey Heathland Partnership (SHP) and her volunteer group to carry out practical conservation work at Bullswater Common.
Removing dense gorse allowed more light to reach the ground, creating better conditions for native plants, insects and reptiles. Dartford warblers and woodlark - both heathland specialists - were heard in the area later that day.
Tasha Feddery praised the team’s efforts, describing the session as “very enjoyable and productive”.
“We managed to open up over 500 square metres of heathland from dominating gorse, allowing more light in to benefit insects and reptiles, and encouraging heather regeneration over the coming years,” said Tasha.
She also noted that conservation grazing is expected to resume soon, with plans to reintroduce Icelandic ponies to the site in the coming weeks.
For Pirbright staff, the session provided an opportunity to step away from day-to-day roles and contribute to a shared environmental goal. Volunteers highlighted both the impact of the work and their experience of taking part.
Sophie Wardle, Animal Technician, reflected on the day, saying:
“It was nice to step away from work for a bit, be outside and even enjoy some sunshine, while helping maintain the heathland and support the local community.”
Ollie Trussler, Animal Technician, also emphasised the balance between learning and impact:
“It was a great opportunity to get outside while making a positive impact. I learnt a lot more than I expected, which was a real bonus.”
Julie Maryan, Energy and Environment Officer, highlighted how accessible the experience was, even for those less familiar with practical conservation work:
“We were given safety equipment and clear instructions, so there was no need to worry. It was amazing to see how much we cleared in just a couple of hours.”
Simon King, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, also reflected on the value of the experience, saying:
“Getting outside into nature is always a pleasure, but even more so when it’s spent in like-minded company and helps to improve your surrounding environment.”
Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the work of SHP, which runs practical conservation task sessions during autumn and winter on Wednesdays and Thursdays across the Surrey Countryside Partnership (SCP) area.
For groups of five or more, SCP requires a financial contribution to support the maintenance and restoration of local habitats and also offers bespoke team volunteering days alongside scheduled sessions.
If you would like to find out more about Surrey Heathland Partnership (SHP), click here.