29 March 2021: Roadmap to reopening
We are closely following guidance set out by the Government, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Public Health England, as well as The Wildlife Trusts movement.
Our plans for returning to the full range of our operations are based on the Government’s Roadmap published on 22 February 2021. We will continue to review our decisions on a regular basis to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep our staff, volunteers and visitors safe.
From Monday 29 March 2021 (Step 1 of the Government’s Roadmap)
Events
We are very pleased to announce that we will be delivering our outdoor face to face events such as family events and guided walks. These are restricted to the government guidelines of 6 people or two households. All events are booked online only
Little Bugs clubs. Some of our Activity Centres will be starting up their regular Little Bugs sessions for preschool toddlers. Sessions must be booked online.
Don’t miss our great range of online talks coming up.
Practical conservation and volunteering
We are cautiously beginning to restart some of our practical conservation work parties where we can, strictly following guidelines and with comprehensive risk assessments. Please bear with us while we continue to monitor and manage these changes in order to keep everyone safe.
From Monday 12 April (Step 2)
Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre
Our visitor centre will be open on Monday 12 April.
Strict Covid secure measures will be in place, including regular thorough cleaning of our centre. Masks must be worn inside the centre, hand sanitiser is available on arrival and social distancing and one-way systems are in place. We are encouraging contactless payment where possible.
Outdoor Learning – School Visits
Please contact individual activity centres to discuss what outdoor programmes are available for the spring and summer term
Our nature reserves
We manage more than 100 nature reserves throughout the three counties, and we will continue to ensure that the majority of these stay open to the public, to ensure the local community gains regular access to these vital green spaces. In order to help protect our visitors, all bird hides are currently closed.
Please follow all Government guidance, respect the rule of six from Monday 29 March and continue to social distance.
If we need to close one of our nature reserves, the restrictions will be listed on the site’s individual webpage – please check that reserve page before you visit.
Please note, these dates are subject to changes in circumstance and Government guidelines.
Doing more to help wildlife
This last year has been incredibly challenging for us all, and the lockdown measures led to significant income loss from our visitor centre and the cancellation of our events. Sadly this year has been hard on wildlife too and we are determined to help it recover. If every garden and open space was wilder and better connected with shelter, food and water, animals like hedgehogs would stand a better chance of survival. You can find plenty of free resources for wildlife-friendly gardening.
Please consider helping the Trust make a real difference to wildlife by donating. All money raised helps us to sustain our work to protect wildlife and wild places throughout the county. Every donation, big or small, will make a huge difference. If you are not already a member and want to join us, our thanks in advance.