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Minister gets stuck in with Muck In4Life

Huw Irranca-Davies with a group of children looking at minibeastsPond dipping, a hunt for ancient trees, coppicing and scrub bashing were just a few of the activities Wildlife and Biodiversity Minister Huw Irranca-Davies got stuck into today as part of Defra’s Muck In4Life campaign.

Mr Irranca-Davies is spending a day volunteering in the South East to find out about the range of activities available.

He said: ‘I’d encourage anyone to have a go at conservation volunteering – today I’ve been having a go at just some of the range of activities you can get stuck in to, including building a gate with Natural England, cataloguing ancient trees with The Woodland Trust and de-silting a pond with the Wildlife Trust.  Volunteering and getting your hands dirty is great for your health and will help conserve the animals, plants and trees this country is famous for – and most importantly, it’s fun!’

Muck In4Life encourages families and people of all ages to get fit and healthy while out and about in the countryside, by taking part in conservation volunteering. All sorts of activities are on offer, from bird surveying to pond de-sludging and path building.

Volunteers can also take part in the Muck In4Life photo competition to win high street vouchers simply by taking snaps of their volunteering experience.  The winning photos will also be displayed at the world famous Kew Gardens.

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Page last modified: 23 September 2009