iDot

19/01/2023

How would you like to plant trees to help nature?

Next month, Wildlife Aid is inviting you join in with a week of tree planting days at the site of our new development, the Wildlife Aid Centre.
Our successful environmental engagement initiative, iDot (meaning “I Do One Thing”), encourages us all to every day that supports wildlife and protects the environment. At the Wildlife Aid Centre, we are currently restoring an area of impoverish floodplain back to a thriving wildlife habitat. You could make the one thing you do that day to be planting trees with us, which will go on to benefit future generations of local wildlife.

Did you know just one mature single tree can be the home to over a thousand different species of plants and animals?!

We are offering morning and afternoon planting sessions every day from Monday 6th – Sunday 12th of February.
To join in, email Douglas at [email protected] to book your session.
Please bring your own refreshments. All necessary tools will be provided.

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03/11/2022

Do you want to get your hands dirty?
Do you want to help protect nature?
If so, we need your help!

At the site of the new Wildlife Aid Centre, the development of the habitats is well underway. In Dcemeber, we will be carrying out the next round of tree and hedge planting, are offering you - residents of Surrey - the chance to get involved.
If you would like to help to restore this impoverished floodplain to a network of rich and diverse habitats then we would like to hear from you.

The planting works will take place between the 9th and 17th of December. If you wish to join in, please contact [email protected] today to book a day/time and help us leave a positive impact on our countryside.

Wildlife Aid

16/09/2022

Today’s iDot – Keep up the amazing work and DoOneThing for the planet!

We did it! *YOU DID IT!
500,000 iDots completed to date! Now let’s get to 1,000,000!!!

The iDot movement is moving from strength to strength. With new people and groups joining our environmentally conscious community every week we are continually astounded by the sheer will to do good for the sake the natural world in which we live.

From our school children of only 5 years old, to our great grandparents in their 80s, iDot is practiced by people from all walks of life. No matter who you are, where you’re from, and what you aspire to become, we only have one planet on which to live, and so we all owe it our respect and our protection.

Do One Thing every day, no matter how small, and together we can continue to impact nature for the better. Whether you’ve ditched the car and are walking to work every day, you’ve reduced your meat intake, or you’ve spent the summer transforming your garden into a wildlife haven, there’s still so many other ways we can all help to protect nature and mitigate climate change before it’s too late.

So today, and everyday from now on, tell someone else you know to join us and start doing one thing to help protect nature. Put out food for wildlife, donate unwanted clothes, recycle old electronics, grow your own vegetables – the possibilities are endless.

“I’m too small to make a difference...” – said 8 billion people.
We are not alone in this world. We are all part of something greater, and together we can make a difference!

From everyone here at congratulations on all your amazing iDots so far. Thank you for helping to restore health back to the British countryside, and in doing so making the UK a safer place for wildlife.

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08/08/2022

Please today: help secure the future of Wildlife Aid by supporting the campaign.

For the full story, tune in to BBC London and BBC One tonight at 6:30pm for a special report on Simon, Lou and the work of Wildlife Aid.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-62379222

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SimonsLastWish

One of the UK’s biggest wildlife charities has an uncertain future as its founder is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

15/07/2022

At the end of June 2022, after a routine clinical scan, Simon Cowell, our founder, and much-loved face of the TV series ‘Wildlife SOS’, received some devastating news. He has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer that is terminal.
Over 40 years ago, Simon turned his back on a lucrative City career and founded the Wildlife Aid Foundation, which has become one of the UK’s best-loved and busiest wildlife rescue charities. His sacrifice, passion for conservation, and antics on ‘Wildlife SOS’ secured him a place in the nation’s heart and an MBE for services to wildlife.
He has devoted his life to saving wild animals that couldn’t help themselves. Hundreds of thousands have been given a second chance thanks to his compassion and dedication. Tragically, for him there will be no second chances.
Now, as his last wish, he is asking for YOUR help to continue his legacy and protect the lives of generations of wildlife to come.
Please help us - https://www.wildlifeaid.org.uk/simons-last-wish

11/07/2022

Today’s iDot – Be an iDot Champion!

In June, Wildlife Aid challenged our participating schools and groups to see how many iDots they could achieve in one month. The aim of the competition was to engage school children in positive interactions with nature in the build up to their summer holidays.

The result was thousands and thousands of positive actions being carried out across Surrey in support of wildlife and the natural environment. Thousands of children from , , , , and many other groups came together to promote positive interactions with the planet. They carried out a range of simple planet-friendly actions, including (but not limited to) planting wildflowers and vegetables, walking to school, litter picking, making bird boxes and bug hotels, reducing meat in their diets, providing food for wildlife, donating old school clothing, holding environmentally friendly sports days, and spent more time connecting with nature.

From everyone at Wildlife Aid we say congratulations for all your iDots, and thank you for helping to make the country a safer place for British wildlife.

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10/06/2022

this weekend!

Come along to Woking this Saturday 11th June, and then Camberley on Sunday 12th June to meet the iDot team and learn about the work of Wildlife Aid at the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum's Earth Day events.

Full details at https://smef.org.uk/events/

Earth Day is a FREE family-friendly event in on Sat 11 June and in on Sun 12 June. Come along for a fun afternoon filled with expert talks + workshops to help you to learn how to recycle, reduce your carbon footprint and help wildlife.

Children can learn how to turn yogurt pots into plant pots and use clean recycling waste to create artwork.

Engagement Officers from Wildlife Aid’s iDot (I Do One Thing) project will be on hand to advise about wildlife friendly gardening and simple, daily actions which people can take to help protect wildlife and tackle climate change.

Registration is required to participate in the event – email [email protected], call 07915 858 124 or search for Earth Day Woking or Earth Day Camberley on Eventbrite.

https://smef.org.uk/events/

06/06/2022

Today’s iDot – Pick up some litter

This beautiful pigeon was recently brought to Wildlife Aid after being found with string wrapped round it’s legs. An assessment by the veterinary team discovered that its left leg had sustained an injury, requiring a dressing and a short stay at the wildlife hospital while the wound heals.

This is just another example of the countless injuries that wildlife suffer from, caused by the waste we humans produce. Sadly, these types of situations are all too common. What makes them even more frustrating is that the solution exists, but many of us are too lazy and inconsiderate to help. All it takes is responsible disposal of our waste. And if you do see a piece of litter as you go about your day – which I guarantee you will – just pick it up and put it in the bin!

It will only take you seconds to do, but you might just be saving a life.

30/05/2022

Today’s iDot – Check for nesting birds when doing gardening works

Sadly, this time of year is a busy time at Wildlife Aid. As garden works around the country kick into full swing thousands of birds’ nests are disturbed and/or demolished, leaving countless birds without a home, and their broods destroyed. This is just one more factor contributing to the ongoing decline in native bird species across the UK. British birds are disappearing as result of human activity, it’s time we started helping them.

Wild birds, their nests and their eggs are all protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) meaning it is illegal to intentionally disturb or destroy any active nest. If any garden work is undertaken during nesting season (February to August), it is a legal requirement to check the area for active nests first, and if you find any, you must stop until the nest is no longer in use.

These chicks were all lucky enough to be rescued and are now being raised at the Wildlife Aid rescue centre. Help us to please ensure more baby birds don’t share their fate, or worse.

27/05/2022

Today’s iDot – Tidy away unused garden netting

This poor little fox cub was yet another close call in British wildlife’s fight for survival.

At the Wildlife Aid one of the most common situations our rescue team is called out to is an animal caught in netting. From garden netting to sports goals and fishing nets, most of these rescues are largely caused by our laziness to properly tidy up behind ourselves.

We choose to leave nets loose in our gardens or fail to unhook and lift up goal netting when finished our games, and as a result it’s all too easy for a passing animal to get caught in it. Once stuck, panic sets in and in their fight to escape they usually only become more entangled which can be highly dangerous and traumatic. Luckily on this occasion, our team were called to the scene and were able to free this young fox cub before he sustained any serious injuries.

Please think about the consequences your actions can have on the life around you, and make sure you tidy away netting whenever you are finished with it.

24/05/2022

Today’s iDot – Use cat proof bird tables in your garden

Since 1980 there has been an alarming decline in garden bird populations. This decline correlates with the increase in domestic cats and dogs that has occurred alongside the growth in our human population.

While we may see cats and dogs hunting, catching, and eating wildlife as natural predator/prey behaviours, it is not entirely so. Humans have upset the natural predator/prey balance in nature by breeding more predators to feed our love for keeping pets.

This beautiful goldfinch was caught by a cat, but luckily was managed to be rescued before it was too late. Once it arrived at , our resident veterinarian was able to stitch up its wounds, and after a course of medication it will soon be able to be released back into the wild again.

Please, think of the consequences our actions are having on nature. If you own pets (and even if you don’t), installing garden bird tables and bird feeders that make it difficult for cats to access, helps to keep garden birds safe while they feed and drink.

17/05/2022

Come along to the Harlequin Theatre & Cinema in this Sunday, 22nd of May, at 2:30pm to Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum's FREE Earth day event!

There will be lots going on, including sustainability workshops, information about climate change, and talks on Wildlife Aid's movement which empowers people to help protect local wildlife and the environment. You can speak to a range of experts on topics surrounding climate change, and there will even be refreshments too!

Don't miss out - come speak to us about how you can play your part in supporting nature.

bit.ly/SMEF-EarthDay-Redhill2022

Event details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1174043503333678