| Conservation Volunteers|
| Wiltshire Agenda 21 |
| Wildlife Trust Projects |
| The Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre |
| Abandoned World War II Airstrip Brings Hope for UK's Wildflower Meadows |

Tell us about your beauty spots
The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is currently updating its photo library. Besides keeping pictures of our own reserves the Trust also wants to cover the wilder side of Wiltshire - the landscapes, geology, rivers, meadows, woods and wildlife.
Professional photographer, Steve Day, who has been commisioned to take the photos, has a plea...I need the help of landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, walkers, botanists - in fact anyone who knows the Wiltshire countryside. I'm looking for beautiful views interesting trees, good aspects of rivers , unusual geological features, traditionally-farmed meadows, unspoilt valleys, photogenic wild flowers (not necessarily rare). If you wish the location to remain unknown I will only use general identification in the photo captions.
Please pass any information to me c/o the Trust, or to 3 Forest Houses, Farley, Salisbury, Wilts, SP5 1AG, Tel 01722 712713 or vie email to steveday@wizzle.globalnet.co.uk
Thank you.' Steve Day

WWT Conservation Volunteers
Volunteers meet on Saturdays and Sundays, and occasionally during the week, to carry out a wide range of work that helps maintain and improve conditions for wildlife in Wiltshire. Work includes using traditional tools and skills to enhance the Wiltshire landscape. No previous experience is necessary. Just come along and we will provide the help and training you need. Tasks are open to everyone. They provide a great opportunity to develop new skills, meet new friends and learn more about the management of the countryside. Some of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserves have their own conservation groups whose members carry out work throughout the year.

Important information
Please ensure that you have an up-to-date tetanus injection We provide tools, strong gloves and training. All you need to bring is a packed lunch and plenty of enthusiasm. We recommend that you wear wellingtons or safety boots for most tasks, and walking boots or safety boots for working on steep downland sites. If you need a lift please contact the area co-ordinator who may be able to arrange transport. WWCV tasks are open to all, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For more information please contact WWCV co-ordinator, Lesley Balfe, tel 01373 822573, or the Trust's Volunteering Officer, Helena Ronicle, at the Trust's headquarters in Devizes, tel 01380 725670.

Wiltshire Agenda 21

Local Agenda 21 is a global action plan to build sustainable communities for the 21st century. It was drawn up by over 150 world leaders at the United Nations Earth Summit in 1992, but is essentially an agenda for change at the grassroots level. By changing our lifestyles and working with our neighbours, we can protect the environment, tackle poverty and social exclusion and achieve long term quality of life for everyone.

Wiltshire Agenda 21 was set up by in 1995, and is managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. We work closely with Local Agenda 21 representatives in local government and a wide range of other organisations from the Wiltshire Federation of Women's Institutes to the Health Authority. We produce two newsletters a year, together with monthly updates, and act as a central information point. We also organise regular conferences and workshops.

Ways in which you can join Wiltshire Agenda 21 and can help create a sustainable Wiltshire include:

In your household...........
Join Action at Home This is a six month programme of practical action for a greener lifestyle, with action packs covering waste, water, energy, transport and shopping. By using this advice and local information, you can reduce your waste and water use by 17%, energy use by 5% and transport fuel by 4%. You will also receive two free energy saving lightbulbs for completing a home energy survey. Over 500 Wiltshire households joined in the first 18 months after the scheme was launched in 1997 so help us reach 1,000 by 2000!

Join the Wiltshire Solar Club Soon to be launched this summer, the Wiltshire Solar Club will enable people to buy and install solar panels at a discounted price. The club will also provide professional advice, training and support.

In your community............
Organise a Junk Swap Day Wiltshire Agenda 21 organised the first UK Junk Swap Day in Malmesbury in July 1998. Local people cleared out their lofts and garages and helped themselves to each other's "junk". Following on from this success, we have produced an information sheet for anyone who would like to organise a Junk Swap Day in their own neighbourhood or village.

Promote energy efficiency Following on from our Winter Warm Up campaign, each District Council now provides a home energy questionnaire. Encourage your friends and neighbours to fill in the questionnaires by advertising it in your local church, village hall or community group. Anyone who completes the survey will receive two free energy saving lightbulbs and professional advice on how best to make their home more energy efficient. You might also like to get together with the neighbours to cut the cost of insulation. People who live on the same street can now qualify for discounts on both loft and cavity wall insulation if they apply as a group.

Compile a Fairtrade directory for your local area Buying Fairtrade goods such as coffee, tea and chocolate is a way of ensuring that your money goes direct to small farmers and other producers overseas. By compiling a directory stating which shops and supermarkets stock Fairtrade products in your local area, you can help follow up Wiltshire Fairtrade Fortnight, held in March of this year. This will not only encourage Fairtrade purchasing, but will also put pressure on retailers to put more Fairtrade items on their shelves.

As a regular volunteer............
Become a local Press Officer Working with the media is an important way of spreading the message about sustainability. Although we have a part-time Press Officer based in Devizes, we would like to establish a network of volunteers to liaise with local newspapers across the county. The work involves writing articles for local newsletters such as Parish magazines, feeding newspaper journalists with material for an Agenda 21 column or feature series and keeping a record of media coverage. If you are a good communicator with a clear, concise writing style and lots of perseverance, get in touch!

Provide a link with Rising Tide Theatre in the Downs is developing a community play with the people of Marlborough, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury and Devizes. Performances will be held this spring. We would like volunteers to provide a link between Wiltshire Agenda 21 and Rising Tide participants, and help organise practical follow-up.

If you would like to get involved or just want more information about Wiltshire Agenda 21, please just give us a call at:

Elmtree Court, Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1NJ
Telephone (01380) 725670
Fax (01380) 729017
Registered Charity No 266202

Tel: 01380 729 218    Fax: 01380 730 262
E-mail: WiltshireAgenda21@compuserve.com .