‘Wild West End’ Vacancy

Project Officer wanted to lead two year community venture helping preserve locally-threatened wildlife.

A new Wild West End project is launching in Arthur’s Hill and Wingrove, aimed at giving protection to some of our most endangered, and little understood, wildlife species.

Focusing on “at risk” bats, hedgehogs, swifts and housemartins, the two year project hopes to train up to 50 local residents in mapping different species, and using the information to create wildlife-friendly environments in the heart of the West End.

All five local primary schools have been promised their children will benefit. 150 places will be available on a wildlife learning programme and ten pupils will be offered the chance to progress to a recognised environmental qualification course.

The scheme is being managed by Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill CIC with financial support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Greening Wingrove has pointed to recent destruction of wildlife habitat in the local area, notably the development of student accommodation in Richardson Road which saw trees felled and a significant bat colony disturbed and also the clearing of the “century-old’ allotment site on Brighton Grove resulting in a significant loss of biodiversity, as reasons why such an initiative is needed.

It proposes to develop wildlife corridors, by connecting hedgrows, back yards, green spaces and gardens “to strengthen nature sustainability”.

A project officer will oversee the development of a volunteer programme in the local area to engage residents in playing a greater role in environmental conservation, using training, public events and learning activities to create local awareness.

The deadline for applications for the 18 hour per week post of project officer is Sunday 5 May. A job description and person specification can be downloaded here. A job advert can be downloaded here. Applicants will need to submit a CV with a covering letter no more than three sides of A4.

For further information or enquiries, call Nigel Todd, Chair, Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill CIC, on 07 711 186 711 or e-mail:  nigeltodd@phonecoop.coop