10th June 2008

Local company working for wildlife

SC Johnson workers building a bird screen Once a year, for a day in June, Frimley Green based SC Johnson close down to give their employees the opportunity to volunteer to work on local community projects. Monday June 9th was the day chosen this year and one group of 13 workers opted to support the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership to carry out important environmental work at Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve.

The SC Johnson workers were divided into two, with one tackling the task of building a new bird screen. The new screen will enable visitors to the Reserve to remain unobserved whilst they get a much better view of the many water birds on the lake.

Taking time out from removing old fencing The second group removed old and dilapidated rabbit proof fencing, which protected young trees whilst they were getting established. This important work is part of ongoing restoration work that will eventually double the overall area of the Reserve

Steve Bailey, Manager of Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership said: “Creating a nature reserve from a gravel extraction site takes years of careful planning and we have been working with CEMEX the owners of the reserve for a long time now to ensure we get it right. Today’s work carried out with such great enthusiasm is another step towards achieving our final goal.” He added. “We have worked with SC Johnson before and we would like to thank their workers for making such a positive and valuable contribution to the ongoing restoration work at the reserve.”

The work was just one of several community projects carried out on the day by SC Johnson workers, which was organised and co-ordinated by Employee Volunteering CiC.

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For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.

EDITOR NOTES

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
SC Johnson is dedicated to improving, protecting and sustaining the environment. The UK company gives time and funding for projects such as rebuilding ponds in local woodlands, restoration work and employees volunteer to help in initiatives to improve the local environment.
Employee Volunteering (based in Hook) is a Community Interest Company that supports businesses which want to engage more effectively with the communities where they are located. EV CiC has a number of flagship projects which combine volunteering with training, team-building and personal development.
Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve is owned by CEMEX, who have been extracting sand and gravel in the area for well over 20 years. They helped and establish and now support the Moor Green Lakes Group, local volunteers who look after the Reserve.
Once a gravel extraction site Moor Green Lakes has been careful transformed and opened to the public as a nature reserve in 1993. It is now the premier bird site in the Blackwater Valley with well over 200 bird species recorded here, everything from Lapwing and Common Tern, to Wigeon, Teal and Goosander, plus Kingfishers, Barn Owls and countless small birds that use the scrub areas.
Once work has been completed the entire Reserve will consist of 50 hectares, a wildlife rich environment, which will be opened to the public within five years.