EuCAN Community Interest Company
EuCAN CIC was established in 2011 and works in the UK, mainly Dorset and Somerset, to involve more people and communities in the conservation management of their local environment, by providing training and practical experience in nature conservation for young graduates, potential volunteers and therapeutic groups. Since 2012, EuCAN has worked with Sherborne Town Council on the conservation management of the Quarr Local Nature Reserve and the Terrace Meadows Site of Nature Conservation Interest to enhance the floweriness and wildlife value of these areas.
Our volunteers and trainees include people with mental health problems and learning difficulties, people who have retired to the area, perhaps feeling socially isolated, and who want to make a positive contribution, and graduates who have achieved academic qualifications in biological and environmental sciences and who are looking to widen their practical experience to increase their job prospects.
We have three semi-autonomous volunteer groups in Dorset and Somerset and in addition run projects, training events, an apple juicing and a firewood enterprise and a number of habitat management contracts. One of our groups works in the south Dorset area (the Dorset Mid-week Volunteers), one in south and central Somerset and north Dorset (the EuCAN Somerset Volunteers) and the third in west Somerset (The Milverton Conservation Volunteers). We also have worked with partners in several other European countries and have taken groups of volunteers and trainees to carry out habitat management there and to take part in study tours abroad.
Our aim is to instil in our members and volunteers an increased awareness of and enthusiasm and involvement in the wildlife conservation of their own local areas and our shared environment.
Our regular work on the Quarr and Terrace Meadows has included sowing wildflower seed, planting plug plants homegrown from locally sourced seed, keeping thorn and bramble scrub at bay and taking a hay cut each summer – all of which has led to a great improvement in the wildlife value of the sites and has been greatly appreciated by all the people that use these sites for walking and recreation. Our programme of activities offers a wide range of wildlife conservation work in the area – everyone is welcome. To find out more, visit www.eucan.org.uk and contact Nigel Spring on 07981.776767 or email nigel@eucan.org.uk
