Burton Conservation Volunteers

About BCV

Burton Conservation Volunteers was formed in 1993. Over the years, we have established ourselves as a group seeking to improve the environment, promote wildlife conservation and encourage community awareness. We are affiliated to the national charity BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).

We have a busy schedule of tasks all year round. The projects we undertake include hedge-laying, creating new wildlife areas, and building structures such as stiles, footbridges and steps. We undertake scrub clearance and woodland management work. We plant new woodlands, hedges and orchards, and create living willow structures.

Our work is based mainly around the Burton and Lichfield areas. In East Staffordshire we work on the footpaths and reed beds at Branston Water Park, and we have also had a big input on the Kingfisher Community Project and the Jinnie Trail and Rolleston footpath network. In fact, if you have been out for a walk locally, you will most likely have come across or walked upon our handiwork!

Major projects around the Lichfield area include the restoration of a Victorian garden, and the creation of a sensory garden and wildlife area for a special-needs school. We also work with Lichfield District Council on some of their sites such as Pipehill Common and Chasewater.

Wherever we are working, we aim to involve the local community as much as possible, to encourage local people to take responsibility for their own environment and hopefully continue to look after the work done.

The group also has its own organic allotment off Anglesey Road, which includes our own tree nursery.

We provide all the necessary tools, insurance and safety equipment for the task in hand. Each task is planned and a risk assessment produced. The proper use of all equipment is explained at the beginning of each task and someone is always on hand to help. Safety is our main priority and trained First Aiders are always on site.

A typical task day starts at 10.30 am, finishing at around 4.00 pm. We provide Fairtrade tea and coffee and quality biscuits at refreshment breaks. Please bring a packed lunch, and wear suitable work clothing and sturdy footwear.

We have won several awards for our BCV conservation projects over the years, including the prestigious Gold Gilt Award in the 2006 Staffordshire Green Awards.

We also have a social side which includes camping trips, local walks, theatre visits and long-distance walking expeditions. We also have occasional working/social weekends away, usually based at National Trust sites.

We have a monthly meeting on the first Thursday of each month in The Alfred, Derby Street, Burton at 8.30pm. New members are always welcome. For further details about the group, fill in your details below and we'll get back to you. Alternatively, contact Lawrence on 01283 537074 or 07966 342201, or just come along to one of our meetings. We hope to see you on one of our tasks soon.