For the Climate Action Festival, local freelance copywriter and content creator Laura Whitehead, has written a guest blog on how you can get involved with Climate Action and Sustainability in Lincoln.
Sustainability, conservation and climate change are big issues, and it’s easy to feel like we as individuals can’t do much to make a change. But that’s not true – everyone can do their part, from learning more about nature and wildlife to joining in with local conservation projects. Becoming more educated about conservation, sustainability, and the climate is one of the best things you can do, as it gives you the chance to make more informed choices and ask for specific things from organisations, local authorities and MPs. For example, if you know that planting wildflowers helps support pollinators and improve biodiversity, you can encourage your local council to create more wildflower verges or choose pollinator-friendly plants for your own garden.
Here are some things you can do to get involved, right here in Lincoln.
Visit a nature reserve
John Bennett / Swanholme Lakes Sunset from Wikimedia Commons
Visiting a nature reserve is a great way to find out more about the local ecosystem and the diverse wildlife that is right on our doorstep. Here in Lincolnshire, we are very lucky to have a wide range of nature reserves that are open to visitors, thanks to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and other organisations. Spending time outdoors in nature is great for our mental and physical health, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about the natural world. Visit a nature reserve, woodland or other natural environment and become familiar with the changes in seasons, the wildlife that call it home, and the effects of conservation projects. Here are some local nature reserves in Lincolnshire:
Whisby Nature Park was once a sand and gravel quarry, but has been reclaimed by nature and is home to many wildlife species. Whisby features the Natural World Centre that hosts wildlife courses and events, and includes a cafe. Whisby Nature Park is also wheelchair accessible and provides mobility scooters for hire.
Donna Nook covers over 6 miles of Lincolnshire coastline and is visited every year from October to December by grey seals who come to give birth to their pups. It’s an incredible sight, with the dunes covered in seal pups and their mothers!
Swanholme Lakes is another former gravel pit and nationally recognised Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that is accessible through Hartsholme Country Park. Swanholme Lakes is within city boundaries but amazingly, is home to a range of wildlife, including lizards, birds, dragonflies and more.
Go on a guided nature walk
Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
Taking a guided nature walk is a good way of engaging with nature and learning more about the environment and ecosystem firsthand. Whether it’s birdwatching, foraging, tracking wildlife, or nature photography, you can learn so much about the local environment. We have some guided events planned during the Climate Action Festival this week that can get you started:
Wednesday, November 5th: Hartsholme Autumn Nature Walk
Friday, November 7th: Birding at Boultham Mere
Complete this form to book your place on these and other CAF events.
Volunteer with a local organisation
Photo by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program on Unsplash
There are so many local organisations that would appreciate your time, whether that’s taking part in a tree planting day, litter picking, helping tend a community garden, or helping restore wildlife habitats. You can join our tree planting sessions for the Saxilby Nature Project on Friday and Saturday by booking your place here, join the Big Brayford Litter Pick, or see some other local volunteering opportunities below.
Green Synergy is a gardening and horticulture charity that manages community gardens here in Lincoln. They work with the local community to help people improve their physical and mental health, including people with disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health conditions and more.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has many volunteer opportunities all around Lincolnshire – check their website for a full list of their current opportunities.
All of these things can help to make a positive impact, both locally and globally. Learning more about your local environment and taking steps to help preserve it is an essential part of larger global movements and fosters stronger and more resilient communities. The Climate Action Festival is the perfect time to get started. Whether you join a local walk, volunteer, or simply spend an hour in nature, every action counts towards a greener Lincoln.
Follow Laura’s work by visiting: https://theblurstoftimes.org/ and LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-whitehead-9b3660b2/