The group achieved 151 task days amounting to an amazing 5165 volunteer hours giving an impressive £59,750 in kind match funding. They accomplished: 37 Hay cuts;  39 days path clearance; 31 Scrub management including creating scalloped bays for glow worms and bees; 14 days orchard management; 12 coppicing and hedge laying days and 18 days creating new steps, building 2 goat shelters, creating hibernacula , planting wildflowers, and maintaining the goat fence, steps and rails. An incredible amount of work to benefit nature and wildlife all across the city! 

I joined the CATS on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in October where the group were hard at work scything a patch of meadow at Hengrove mounds. I had come along to hear about their experiences of the project, what they had enjoyed from being part of the My Wild City project and celebrate these incredible wildlife champions and all their hard work!

Scything is an important job to cut back grasses and remove excess nutrients from the soil which, in return, helps wildflower grow next year. One of the volunteers, John, is a keen botanist who was happy to talk to me about the flora of this My Wild City Site, Hengrove Mounds.

“I’ve seen five species of Orchid here including early purple, pyramidal orchid, common spotted, bee and, the rarest of them, southern marsh. I like to think that the work we’ve been doing on the site has increased the orchids.”

John has been volunteering with Avon Wildlife Trust for five years and asked him what he’s enjoyed from being part of the My Wild City project.

“I work from home on a computer all day and this gets me out, keeps me fit and meet new people. I’ve also learnt about wildlife I didn’t know about before. There was a guy here last week who was really keen on spiders!”

It wasn’t just scything and spiders that John was discovering but new nature spaces to enjoy in the city. A lot of the volunteers told me about how the My Wild City project showed them new and interesting wildlife sites that they had no idea even existed.

“Even though I’ve lived in south Bristol for 30 plus years, there were lots of spaces I didn’t know about. I didn’t know about Hengrove Mounds, Hawkfield Meadow or Stockwood Open Space and it’s been a pleasure to get to know the different sites and there’s always more to know!” Said Clive a volunteer of four years.

Ruth told me how she had learnt that cities can hold a lot of wildlife “The more I look around me the more I realize what cities hold in terms of habitat. My love of city sites is improving.” She also found it very rewarding to see the results of their hard work. “A habitat like this, a few years ago, it was interesting but it’s a lot more interesting now.”

Like the others, Bob reinstated about how much he’s learnt over the years.

“There’s been a great sense of achievement about how we can put our learning into practice. When I started, I couldn’t use a scythe but now, every now and then, I’m teaching people how to scythe! We care about what we are doing and we want to make a difference. There is a sense that we are improving things”

Matt, who has also been volunteering throughout the duration of the project, was proud of all the skills he had learnt over the years including tree planting, coppicing, scything, hedge laying, wildlife identification and more. When asked what his biggest achievement was, he said “you’re looking at it, just over there!” He pointed out over the meadow. “The five goats. They are making a real difference at knocking back the bramble!” The Wild Cat’s were passionate about welcoming goats to Hengrove Mounds who now help manage the land. They joined forces with Street Goat and local residents to build shelters for the goats and fixing holes in the fencing. “They are our allies!” added Matt with a smile.

Although learning new skills and discovering new places wasn’t the only reason the volunteers were happy to have been involved. Lots of the volunteers mentioned the social side to the work and how being outside, helping nature with other people had a really positive impact on their wellbeing.

“The whole thing is good for you. Physical, mental, emotional, social – just so good for you. It makes a big, big difference. I have recommended it to lots of people!” Charlie who had been volunteering “on and off for nine years” agreed saying “My mental health is much better now and the comradery within the group is very beneficial.” 

Now the project is coming to an end, the management of the eight sites has been handed back to Bristol City Council with Your Park supporting many of the activities on the sites in South Bristol. Some Wild Cats will continue to volunteer with other Avon Wildlife Trust Groups, but some will be leaving to carry on their important work with the council. Clive said “It’s sad to leave the trust but it’s the work that matters at the end of the day. Who organises it is secondary.” 

The WildCATs meet on Tuesdays and are always looking for more volunteers, get in touch. Bob said to any potentially interested people “Please come, there’s a great sense of achievement, you learn a lot, it’s a lot of fun and you meet really nice people. It’s been a blast man!”

If you would be keen to get involved with the ongoing conservation work on these important sites across Bristol, visit Volunteering in parks (bristol.gov.uk) or get in touch with Rachel at Your Park on volunteer@yourpark.org.uk for the south Bristol sites.

Rachel from Your Park said 

"Rachel said ‘We are excited to be working with the Wild CAT’s who have dedicated years to improving the biodiversity of several South Bristol sites. That are vital habitats connecting the city to the local countryside.  We will be working closely with Bristol City Council, the Wild Cat’s and Avon Wildlife Trusts Wednesday Action Group otherwise known as WAG to continue the conservation programme that keeps these wilder areas biodiverse and nature rich.

Kelly, My Wild City Manager said:

“I cannot thank the Wild Cats enough for all their hard work and dedication.  They are so knowledgeable, passionate, kind and caring. The MWC project spanned across the whole of the covid pandemic and these volunteers stayed strong and united throughout.  I have had the pleasure of joining the group on many occasions. The laughter, the wildlife spotting and comradery is second to none, both on site and within their Whats App group sharing common themes, wildlife photos and banter.  Yes, the project ends but the legacy of this group and now with the Wednesday Action Group will continue to manage these sites into the future. They truly are Wildlife Champions and demonstrate that everyone can do their part for nature. Come join the Team Wilder movement, become a wildlife champion -take action for nature so that people and wildlife can thrive together.”  

Thank you so much to each and every one of the ‘Wild CATS’ who have contributed so much to the My Wild City Project over the last three years from everybody at Avon Wildlife Trust. You have really helped make a huge difference for wildlife all over the city.