RECENTLY the Habitat Helpers at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre joined up with the wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation for a work group special.

Amanda Apps, discovery centre ranger, said, "Since its launch back in June the volunteer group is going from strength to strength with new members joining us each month. I'm so pleased with the amount of work that everyone has tackled so far across the site. Tasks have ranged from clearing the car park fencing and trees of ivy, to weeding the area. Clearing grass around picnic areas to tackling the Hymalayan Balsam along the River Onny. I'm really looking forward to working with everyone again in 2018."

Amanda was joined by Rhona Goddard from Butterfly Conservation along with 12 volunteers for the last session of the year, working hard on caring for the butterfly garden and finishing off their work on weaving and pruning the willow tunnel down in the Meadows. The group had a great time, getting stuck in and all enjoyed a nice break in the middle with tea and cake in the centre's café.

Rhona says, "Butterfly Conservation is delighted to be working in partnership with Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. It would be wonderful to see more volunteers get involved with the butterfly garden and the many projects they have here at the centre."

The Habitat Helpers were formed back in July with Amanda launching the group at the family fun day, one of the centre's annual events. Since then, numbers have increased every month with kind volunteers giving their time to give the Meadows some TLC.

Jade Marriott-Lodge, marketing and development manager at the centre said, "Amanda's group have worked so hard this year and it is been much appreciated. From car park spruce ups and balsam bashing to butterfly garden pruning and willow weaving, they have thrown themselves in to all of the tasks and it has been lovely to see their hard work pay off throughout the meadows and surrounding outside areas of the centre. We would like to thank Amanda, Rhona and the team very much for their time and hard work."

For more information on joining the Habitat Helpers and all other volunteering at the centre, contact the front desk team on 01588676060.