Busy summer ahead for SVP

Local community and conservation charity Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) is planning another action-packed summer of nature-based events, talks and workshops.

The organisation, which works with people across the district to protect and create natural habitats for wildlife, joined forces with the National Trust and Butterfly Conservation on Saturday to celebrate Marking Day on Minchinhampton Common; then on Sunday, they were part of Cotswold Canals Connected’s Spring Canal Festival in Stonehouse, offering people the chance to make their own bug hotel.

SVP is one of the many organisations joining with Stroud Nature to present activities for all the family, including as part of their Landscapes of the Lark and the Garden Guardians projects.

“Garden Guardians is all about getting people involved in enhancing – and enjoying! – our shared green spaces,” explains project co-leader Sharon Gardham. “We have a range of Garden Guardians events over summer, including a Bioblitz of Stratford Park, when we’ll need help from young nature detectives to explore the wildlife making its home in the park.

“Our Landscapes of the Lark festival is also well underway, and we have another of our Skylark walks on Tuesday 30 May, which is being presented by expert birder Andy Lewis. Andy will give walkers an insight into the birds who live on the common, including the Skylark.”

Keen photographers can also take part in the Landscapes of the Lark Photography Competition, which runs until August. The contest welcomes entries from junior snappers (aged 16 and below) and seniors aged 17 and over.

“We’re paying homage to the Skylark, which has inspired so many writers, artists and composers over the years, and asking people to capture images of the landscapes where they make their home, especially Selsley, Rodborough and Minchinhampton Commons and our other local commons,” says Sharon.

Landscapes of the Lark is supported by the Cotswold National Landscape’s Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund and Garden Guardians is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

To find out more about the events taking place over summer and to book a place on any of the events coming up, visit stroudvalleysproject.org or call 01453 753358.