Conservation Team volunteers 2024 round-up

During 2024, the Northumberland Coast Conservation Team recorded 9,384 volunteer hours, which is an increase of over 4,000 hours compared to this time last year. Led by Northumberland Coast National Landscape Volunteer and Access Officer Emma Wilson, there are currently 200 volunteers in total. The volunteers have completed 82 beach cleans on 27 beaches, with 4,327kg of weighable waste documented (excluding sizeable items that could double this figure).  

The team has spent 1,168 hours working on practical conservation tasks, which are crucial for the natural environment. Volunteers have also given 448 hours of help to the National Trust rangers on the Farne Islands and the Long Nanny shorebird site near Beadnell. During this time, the team provided support with vegetation control, habitat management and creating breeding patches for Arctic Tern. 

National Trust Area Ranger Sophia Jackson said: “We are so thankful for all the hard work the Conservation Team has devoted to the Farne Islands and its treasured wildlife. These volunteers helped save the day when we put the call out for help with creating the Tern breeding patches, which they have used to raise their young throughout the 2024 season. They are passionate about what they do, and it has been a pleasure working with them.”  

National Trust Area Ranger James Porteous added: “The Northumberland Coast Conservation Team has been such a valuable resource for us this year. Volunteers have helped with tasks including dune grassland management, hedge maintenance work and shorebird protection fencing at the Long Nanny. The Long Nanny is such an important site, and the fencing has been vital in reducing recreational disturbance to the nesting Ringed Plover and terns. The team is a pleasure to work with – they are all reliable, productive and bring a fantastic team spirit. Here’s to many years of successful partnership working.”