Sussex Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Our aim is to encourage children to engage in their environment and the issues affecting it. There are five principles which underpin all Watch activity:
• increasing understanding of our whole environment fostering awareness and feeling for the world we live in.
• encouraging a caring attitude towards wildlife and participation in conservation.
• creating factual, informal, fun ways to investigate our surroundings.
• ensuring that young people’s environmental concerns, ideas and opinions are recognised and developed, and opportunities are created to act upon them.
• We do this through Watch groups, projects and members' publications
Wildlife Watch Groups in Sussex
Across Sussex we run four Wildlife Watch groups where children can meet and enjoy exploring their environment mostly at weekends. The groups are based in Bognor, Brighton, Lewes and Mid Sussex.
For the children and their parents, going regularly to a group, along with their peers, enables young people
to have lots of fun and make new friends whilst they develop real understanding and commitment.
Sussex Watch groups give children opportunities to discover local wildlife and get stuck into practical activities likely to encompass anything from environmental artwork and waste recycling, to barn owl surveys, pond dipping and wild flower fun days. All groups operate within a monitored framework of child welfare and safety.
If you would like to help with your local WATCH group, please email People and Wildlife Officer or call: 01273 497562
Become a Wildlife Watch leader or helper
The network of local Wildlife Watch groups covers most of the UK. A typical Wildlife Watch leader or helper is someone who enjoys working with children, is enthusiastic and concerned about the environment and enjoys being out of doors. No expert wildlife knowledge is required to start, and volunteers receive support and guidance from local and UK staff.
You may like to help an existing group – leaders work in teams, with helpers. This is a good way to find out more about how Wildlife Watch works, and what fun it can be. This can be a springboard for starting your own group in a different area. Alternatively, if there is no group in your area, you can start from scratch.
If you are interested in this, please contact the Watch Organiser at Sussex Wildlife Trust. If you register as an active leader, we will provide:
• A leader’s resource pack to help you plan fun-filled, informative and safe activities.
• A local contact for on-the-ground support
• Full public liability and personal accident insurance
• Link magazine three times a year to update you on current events, news and ideas for activities
• Access to relevant training
• Other ongoing publications including Watchword and Wildlife Extra plus support materials for any new projects
How to become a volunteer: Please email Volunteer Administrator or call: 01273 497562
