Grounds Maintenance, Landscape Creation, Arboriculture, Sports Surfacing, Parks management, IOS Managing Safely Training, Ecology & Biodiversity, Grass cutting, Horticulture, Street Cleaning, Soft Landscaping, Hard Landscaping
idverde provides a wide range of green services, including grounds maintenance, landscape creation, and advice services, to both private and public sectors across the UK.
idverde, in partnership with RSPB have recently been collaborating with Rangers and Community Engagement partners from local organisations with the aim of conducting wildlife surveys across sites in the Charnwood Forest GeoPark (CFGP), including those managed by idverde under contract from Charnwood Borough Council. To achieve that, we needed to train volunteers on the basics of surveying.
idverde and RSPB were asked to arrange a training day for twenty-five volunteers from across a range of stakeholder organisations, including Charnwood Forest GeoPark, Bradgate Park and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT).
Through the training day, we hoped to offer numerous benefits for participants and the wider conservation community. The event was held at Morley Quarry, near Shepshed and provided hands-on experience in ecological survey techniques, equipping volunteers with essential skills in species identification, data recording, and habitat assessment. Morley Quarry, with its unique geological and ecological features, served as an ideal outdoor classroom with the benefit of a Cricket Club pavilion adjacent, which enabled us to deliver an indoor theory session.
The training session was compiled and led by idverde & RSPB’s Community Biodiversity Adviser for the Midlands, Ross Bray, with support from local specialists including, Richard Jefferies (Leicestershire and Rutland Butterfly Recorder).
The four theory sessions consisted of survey and recording techniques for pollinators, using FIT (Flower in Time) counts, Butterfly Monitoring and Recording through the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) and Reptile Monitoring and Recording. Idverde Charnwood Rangers, Reece and Sam supported the logistics of the day with Sam delivering the theory and practical training on aquatic surveys.
The afternoon sessions moved outdoors to put theory into practice. Fortunately, the weather improved, and the sun came out which led to plenty of pollinators for the FIT counts in the quarry basin. We were also able to spot and identify several butterfly species including a pair of mating Green-veined white’s.
The Rangers led the volunteers for the inspection of reptile mats that had been laid prior to the training day. On this occasion, no reptiles were recorded. The afternoon programme ended with a fascinating session ‘dipping’ the pond with nets and inspecting the catch in trays. This caused a great deal of interest from the volunteers who were amazed at how much life resided in such as small pond.
The day was a great success leading to glowing feedback from our partners at the CFGP. Volunteers enhanced their understanding of the geology and biodiversity of Charnwood and Leicestershire, fostering a holistic approach to conservation and a greater appreciation of the intricate relationship between geodiversity and ecosystem health. The training day also promoted community engagement and stewardship. As volunteers become more involved in environmental monitoring, they are empowered to act as local ambassadors for conservation, raising awareness and encouraging responsible behaviour in their communities. The shared learning experience builds a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, laying the groundwork for a more coordinated volunteer network across the CFGP. The event also strengthens partnerships between local organizations, educators, and conservation groups, helping to create a sustainable model for future citizen science initiatives.
