Please note

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust response to Coronavirus

The Trust continues to take steps to help limit the spread of Covid-19.  

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are constantly reviewing the guidance about Covid-19 and taking the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of members of the public and our volunteers and staff. We will keep this page updated with the latest news about the measures we are taking to keep people safe and how these may affect you when visiting and contacting us.

The Wildlife Trusts urge people to enjoy local wildlife and maintain a connection with nature to help boost their wellbeing, whilst remaining mindful of guidance.

Nature continues to bring many of us solace in these difficult times, so do continue to take a moment out of your day to enjoy the wild places around you, whether that be in your garden or local green space. 

 

Latest update: December 2021

In response to the latest Government guidance, and in light of the festive period we have decided to close our offices from Friday 17 December until Tuesday 10 January. The majority of our staff will be working from home between 17-24 December, and then on leave for our annual Christmas closure from 25 December 4 January. Please be aware that it may take longer than normal to respond to enquiries.

Our Nature Reserves remain open for visitors; however, some education centres and hides are still closed to the public. If visiting our nature reserves, we would ask that all visitors follow social distancing guidelines during their visit to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.

Events, education and engagement sessions, including volunteering will continue to go ahead. Please follow the guidelines set out by the activity lead.

 

September 2021

Our head office (Beechcroft House) has returned to normal business hours Monday to Friday 9-5pm. However, some staff still work from home but will be contactable on the phone.

Our Nature Reserves remain open for visitors; however, some education centres and hides are still closed to the public. If visiting our nature reserves, we would ask that all visitors follow social distancing guidelines during their visit to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.

Volunteering has now resumed and groups of up to 30 (volunteers and staff) can meet outdoors for volunteer work parties and other volunteering work.

School visits are now allowed, one bubble at a time outdoors. For more information on which activities can be carried out, and to book please contact the Outreach Education Team on outreach@hiwwt.org.uk.

Our events have now resumed, with up to 30 people outside. We have covid secure guidelines we ask people to follow, and all events must be booked in advance. View our events.

 

June 2021

Step 4 of the Government Roadmap out of lockdown has been extended from 21 June to at least 19 July. Below is our latest guidance. 

While we are planning our return to offices, the majority of our staff are still working from home and our offices remain closed. Please be aware that it may take longer than normal to respond to enquiries.

Our Nature Reserves remain open for visitors; however, education centres and hides are still closed to the public. If visiting our nature reserves, we would ask that all visitors follow strict social distancing guidelines during their visit to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. 

Volunteering has now resumed. Groups of up to a total of 30 (volunteers and staff) can meet outdoors. The same rules apply for volunteering work parties. 

School visits are now allowed, one bubble at a time outdoors. For more information on which activities can be carried out, and to book please contact the Outreach Education Team on outreach@hiwwt.org.uk.

Our events have now resumed, with up to 30 people outside. We have covid secure guidelines we ask people to follow, and all events must be booked in advance. View our events

 

January 2021

In response to the latest Government guidance, the majority of our staff are still working from home and our offices remain closed. Please be aware that it may take longer than normal to respond to enquiries.

Our Nature Reserves will remain open for local visitors to take their permitted exercise, and we encourage you to visit and enjoy wildlife during your daily exercise.  If visiting our nature reserves, we would ask that all visitors follow strict social distancing guidelines during their visit to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.  

Please stay local to where you live and enjoy your local wildlife, do not travel to our nature reserves.

Please note: all bird hides and centres will be closed to comply with the latest restrictions. 

We will continue to maintain an on-site staff presence to ensure the safety of visitors, as well as ensure the continued appropriate use of the nature reserve in such a manner that the wildlife conservation priorities of the site are not adversely affected by visitors.

 

November 2020

Our nature reserves and carparks remain open at the moment. However, our head office and bird hides are closed. Our education centres also remain closed to the public but may be opened for booked school visits. Volunteering has been temporarily put on hold. 

Please continue to visit our nature reserves if they are the nearest and most convenient local place for exercise. Please ensure you maintain social distancing as per the government guidelines to keep yourself and others safe, and protect the wildlife you have come to enjoy.

If you can, please travel to our reserves on foot or by bike, practice social distancing and be respectful of the wildlife on site. 

We are keeping the situation under review, and so there may still be a need to close part/all of some nature reserves in future to protect the safety of our staff working on site as well as the public.

For those accessing public rights of way, the Government has urged that the Countryside Code is adhered to. In addition, they advise that:

  • You maintain a distance of at least one metre, preferably two metres from other people
  • Hand wash/sanitise after touching any shared surfaces e.g. sites/gates
  • Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and away from other people/dogs
  • Leave gates as you find them.

 Stay safe

 

No bike stay safe stay wild

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