MONDAY VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION DAYS
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Monday 31st March
This week’s Volunteer Conservation Day at Harmony Woods was a great success. A huge thank you to Doreen, Trevor, Liang, Annette, Sam, Simone, Jacey, Liz, Annabel, Stephen, Izzi, Brian, Lucy, Natalia, Jo, Sylvi, and the dedicated students and staff from Harrow Way for their hard work!
Tasks included monitoring the site for damage, repairing deer fencing, planting wildflowers, clearing the pond area, and organising equipment storage. Volunteers also worked on adding new locations to Nature’s Calendar to track seasonal changes and installed Skylark posters to raise awareness about the species. We would also like to thank the students from Andover college who have been creating an art project at Harmony woods over March.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2
Want to get involved, email michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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Huge thanks to Darren Goacher, who generously donated hundreds of succulent plants for our living roof! These will be used in the next stage of the build once the office is moved into place in the coming weeks. A massive shoutout to everyone who has contributed so far—your support is making this project a reality! Stay tuned for more updates!
This project is funded by a generous grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund through Test Valley Borough Council.
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On March 6th, Andover’s 10th Plant-for-the-Planet Academy welcomed 16 children from three schools. The day featured presentations on topics like photosynthesis, global warming, and global justice, led by young Climate Justice Ambassadors. The children participated in a "World Game" activity at Harmony Woods, discussed global justice, and developed their presentation skills. After lunch, they planted Elm and Elder trees.
The Academy concluded with presentations at the Sports Pavilion, attended by The Worshipful Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, along with family and friends. The children proudly presented their action plans and were interviewed by Lead Ambassadors. We were delighted to be able to invite The Worshipful Mayor to present each new Ambassador with their certificate and the book ‘Tree-by-Tree’.
Thanks to Andover Trees United volunteers, supporters, and sponsors Stannah, Abel & Cole, and Hildon Water. Special thanks to Programme Coordinator Wendy Davis, Lead Ambassadors Lily, Sophie, and Natalia, and to supporting schools Abbotts Ann, Appleshaw, and Knights Enham Juniors, teachers, youth organizations, and parents. A huge thanks to all the volunteers for their help!
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/news-list/2025/3/23/inspirational-plant-for-the-planet-academies
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NATIONAL LOTTERY OPEN WEEK
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On Monday, 17th March, in celebration of National Lottery Week at Harmony Woods, we were excited to welcome back Alex Marshall, our former Ecology Intern now with the Woodland Trust. During a tea break prepared by Wendy and Doreen, Alex introduced Nature’s Calendar, inspiring everyone to observe seasonal changes in wildlife. A big thank you to all our volunteers and National Lottery players for their support.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2
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NATURE IN HARMONY PRESENTATION
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On Tuesday, 18th March 2025, we gathered at the Guildhall in Andover for a fantastic update on our Nature in Harmony project, our wildlife survey and community project. The event, part of National Lottery Open Week, celebrated the support of National Lottery players and demonstrated how their funding benefits ecological projects.
ATU Trustee & Founder Wendy welcomed attendees, and original Ecology Intern Alex shared her current work on Nature’s Calendar with the Woodland Trust. Our 2024 Intern Katie then delivered an engaging update on the project's progress. Her presentation suggested that conservation efforts being undertaken to protect and restore natural habitats are increasing biodiversity levels. ATU extends their gratitude to everyone who joined, especially the Deputy Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Linda Lashbrook, and Deputy Consort Cllr Phillip Lashbrook. It was heartwarming to see such strong community engagement and support for conservation initiatives.
The full project report can be found on the ATU website: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/nature-in-harmony
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/news-list/2025/3/25/nature-in-harmony-project-update-presented-at-the-guildhall-andover
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12th April- April's community conservation day
8th & 16th April- Easter Holiday Activities
9th April- Sow, Grow, Plant Kit Collection - Augusta Park Community Centre
19th April- Wild Harmony- Biodiversity Walk & Nature Journalling
22nd April- Earth Day
27th April- A-Fest
10th May- May’s Community Conservation Day
17th May- Wild Harmony- Identifying Trees in Spring
18th May- Andover Gardening Fair
23rd May - Auction of promises
7th June- Give it a Grow
14th June- June’s Community Conservation Day & Give it a Grow
21st June- Wild Harmony- Identifying & Surveying Common Wildflowers
22nd June- Wellbeing Fair
23rd June till 6th July- In Search of the Ditch - Between the Barrows 2025
12th July- July’s Community Conservation Day
20th July- Carnival
Weekly Conservation Days
Every Monday, 10:00 - 1:00
Harmony Woods or Allotment
Email michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk for more information.
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EASTER EGGSPLORERS: PAINT, HUNT & DISCOVER!
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8th April, 10am - 1pm at Harmony Woods
Open to all ages, children 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
£10 per child
Traditional egg painting with natural dyes and materials, followed by an easter egg hunt around the wood.
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COMMUNITY CONSERVATION DAY
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We are excited to invite you to this months Community Conservation Day at Vigo Road Allotments happening on the 12th April from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
This time, we’ll be sowing wild flower seeds. No experience needed—just enthusiasm! We’d love to know if you can make it, it helps us with refreshment quantities!
Please contact michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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WILD FLOWER SEED KIT COLLECTION
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Can't join us at a community event? Get your DIY planting kit! No expertise needed! Your kit includes starter compost and instructions.
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We are excited to invite you to this years first Wild Harmony session at Harmony Woods happening on the 19th April from 10:30am to 1pm
This month we will be learning about the biodiversity found at Harmony Woods using ID guides and completing a nature journalling activity.
Bring your own nature journaling supplies (pens, paper, pencils) if you have them. Don’t worry if not – we’ll have supplies available!
Please contact michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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ATU's Annual fundraise super and Auction of promises for youth provision in nature will be on Friday 23rd May 2025 at Wherwell Village Hall. This year, we’re raising funds for Youth Provision in Nature—helping young people connect with the great outdoors. Join us for an evening of fun, fantastic promises up for grabs, and a chance to support a great cause! We would love to see you there!
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Are you ready to dig into a day of fun, connection, and growth? We’re thrilled to launch this year’s Have a Grow festivities, where we will help you to celebrate the beauty of community and growing through intergenerational activities that inspire inclusivity and resilience in your growing spaces.
On Saturday 7th June, we want you to open your growing spaces to show off your vibrant spaces and fill them with laughter, learning, and plenty of green!
Find out more here: https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/haveagrow
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After ATU's success at last year's Carnival, we are excited to participate again this year at the Carnival on July 20th. But we need YOU to help us make it the best one yet! Whether you’re a creative genius, interested in crafting, or just want to be part of the fun on the day – there’s something for everyone!
Please email michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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SURVEYING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
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Andover Trees United 'Nature in Harmony' programme offers a variety of opportunities tailored to both novices and experts interested in wildlife surveying and community engagement including:
- learn to survey and contribute to data collection, including for national projects such as Nature's Calendar.
- Get involved in Wild Harmony Events - learn and explore nature (for all ages) including walks & talks.
- Get involved in Butterfly Transects - registered with Butterfly Conservation.
If interested, please email: michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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Our Ecology Intern creates the 'Nature Spot' social media posts to highlight different species that have been seen in the Diamond Woods. The most recent is shown here (click on the image to see it in more detail), and you can see previous ones on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. And if you don't have a social media account, you can still see them on Instagram! Just go to www.instagram.com/andover_trees/
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We’re looking for volunteers over the next few months to help refurbish the woodland site office. Opportunities include:
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Assisting the contractor with refurbishment tasks
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Improving your carpentry skills
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Helping install a wood burner, solar panels, and a green roof
If you're interested, please get in touch — we’d love to see new faces and continue growing our amazing community of volunteers (abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk).
Volunteering with us is a great way to contribute to action against climate change and biodiversity loss, and to make a difference in the local community and we welcome volunteers with many different skills, including:
- General conservation
- IT / tech
- Event organisation and support
- Running creative sessions
- Plant propagation
- Leafleting
- DIY and construction
- Legal advice
- Fundraising
- ... and more! If you have the time, we can use it :-)
We are very happy to arrange volunteering days for corporate groups, particularly during our Schools' Planting Weeks in November / December.
Please get in touch if you can help by emailing abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk. Any specific opportunities will be listed on our Ways To Help webpage as well as in this newsletter.
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www.andovertrees.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1167574
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