Keeping it Wild
Who are we?
Meeting up on Wednesdays and weekends, Keeping it Wild is all about connecting with nature and each other. We are wildlife campaigners, conservationists, fundraisers, adventurers and your new best friends! We manage our own reserve on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, collaborate with and visit other trusts, and love a good board game!
We’re a youth led volunteer group based in Nottingham City Centre, meeting up at least once a week to plan, organize and carry out nature-based conservation.
Fun, free and Friendly! We are Keeping it Wild, a group of like-minded 13 – 25 year old’s who are passionate about nature, conservation and adventure! We are campaigners, activists, conservationists.
Learn about our current & recent projects
NOTE: Keeping It Wild is full to capacity for the time being. Applications will be re-opening sometime in the new year though, so stay tuned!
Keeping it Wild Virtual Tour Woodthorpe Meadow (https://youtu.be/z46rh3rlMtw)
Follow along with our youth led group Keeping it Wild, as they take you on a virtual tour of the nature reserve that they manage, Woodthorpe Meadow.
Little Holly Corner
Our smallest nature reserve managed by the young people of Keeping it Wild.
Podcast
Members of Keeping it Wild have been interviewed by the young people of the local Hot House Theatre Company and collaborated to produce a few podcasts about how KIW manage Woodthorpe Meadow and their Toad Patrols plus other activities.
Want to keep up? Follow our social media!
KIW learning how a large origination like Center Parcs looks after the environment in Sherwood Forest
Festive fun at Center Parcs
KIW Christmas stall selling handmade sustainable gifts
KIW having a chat with Dave Goulson after his talk on ‘Saving our Insects and turning our gardens and urban green spaces into oases for life
A very special experience of working with Nottingham Dormouse group
Michael Walker giving a demonstration on Dormouse trapping to KIW
Introducing new members to the KIW family
A Spring tour of Skylarks Nature Reserve
Clearing Little Holly Corner to plant new trees - “the new one stop corner food shop for wildlife”
Restoration Work at Little Holly Corner
Starling murmuration at Skylarks
A Mycenae mushroom spotted during the Dormouse trapping
Keeping it Wild had the opportunity to experience an amazing wader murmuration at Snettisham in Norfolk
Keeping it Wild enjoying the sun during our 2022 Norfolk residential
Exploring Holme Dune ecology with our friends from Norfolk Wildlife trust
Our mascot and favourite friend, Luna
Meet the team 👋
Laura Bacon
Laura Bacon
Tel: 0115 9588242
lbacon@nottswt.co.uk
Jamie Shortland
Jamie Shortland
Tel: 0115 9588242
jshortland@nottswt.co.uk
Tom Aplin
Tom Aplin
Hi I’m Tom, I’m a volunteer Youth Leader with Keeping it Wild and I’ve been a member for just over 5 years. I started at Keeping it Wild to meet other young people interested in nature and to help with conservation activities, and my role grew during my time in the group (as well as my age). I think it’s fair that before I started with Keeping it Wild, I didn’t know much about wildlife and the natural environment (I just wanted to chop bramble), but the more I’ve been involved the more I’ve learnt, and with all the amazing activities that have happened over the years I’ve been really privileged to absorb knowledge from some of the best conservationists in the county about what’s happening in our wild spaces.
I currently work for a charity called Sustrans (as it says on my jumper) as a volunteer coordinator, and I’ve been with them for about 4 years. We’re a charity that helps people to walk and cycle more. In my spare time I take part in a dungeons and dragons group (nerd) and love going to the cinema when I can.
The Keeping it Wild Family
Come join the Keeping it Wild family!
Frequently Asked Questions
When do we meet?
Normally Wednesday evenings 6.30pm till 8.30pm and Saturday day times 10am till 3pm. We have lots of special activities that fall outside this times and sessions can vary in and out of term time.
What age range can join?
13-25.
Where are we?
On wednesday evenings we meet at the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust office, The Old Ragged School, in Sneinton.
Saturday are at the Nature reserve we manage, Woodthorpe Meadow, on Mansfield Road, Sherwood.
How often do we do things?
Usually we meet at least once a week, with a practical session every other weekend.
Are applications open to join?
Applications are currently closed.
Please check back soon.
How often do we have to turn up?
As often as you can. but commitment is appreciated. We are a very popular group.
How many members are there?
We keep the membership of young people at around 20 to 25 members.
Do you need any previous experience?
No experience needed, just a willingness to try new things and get stuck in!
What do you get out of it?
Its fun, friendly and free. You gain lots of practical experience in so many different areas whilst also gaining a wildlife family!
Why should I join?
If you are passionate about nature and the environment, would like to try something new, meet new people, make a difference whilst improving your practical and social skills, then Keeping it Wild is for you.
Previous funded Keeping it Wild projects
Nottingham for Nature
On 25th January 2018 Keeping it Wild (Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's Youth team) launched the Nottingham for Nature campaign and hosted a unique Question Time event. With an audience of young people, an exclusive panel of experts and policy holders responded to pertinent questions about the state of nature in Nottingham. Panelists Mark Avery, Stephanie Hillborne OBE, Eddie Curry, Dr Sarah Pierce, Cllr Michael Edwards (Lord Mayor of Nottingham) and Dr Rob Lambert.
Projects funded through the 'Heritage Lottery Fund small grants scheme' in 2017
During 2017 the project funding (through the Heritage Lottery Fund small grants scheme) has enabled us to -:
- Work on 8 Natural heritage sites across the city
- Run 10 practical conservation sessions ranging from species id to habitat creation to conservation grazing program
- Develop and run Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts first ever city centre based event at the head office for the community
- Raise just under £1300 through fundraising and applying for small pots of funding
- Develop and run 10 public facing events throughout the year including 5 park lives events that encourage more young people and families to engage with a green space as well others such as Skylarks open days and Autumn festivals
- Grown from 5 members to 18 members in 1 year
- Delivered 152 days of volunteering equating to £7600 in unskilled volunteers time
- The youth group have met 74 times during 2017 be that on their evening meet ups on a Wednesday night or through weekend events and activities
- The group ticked off 5 species on their bucket list and met with 6 other programs running youth based work across 6 counties
News and Blogs
Keep up with the latest on Keeping It Wild!
Exploring Paradise: My Experience Taking Part in the City Nature Challenge 2024
Join Maria Romanov and learn about their day with Keeping It Wild and their participation in the City Nature Challenge 2024!
Biometrics, brash and bird bonanzas!! A tale of Keeping it Wild’s Center Parcs work party
Join Li Parkes, from our youth led volunteering group Keeping it Wild as she takes you along on their work party to Center Parcs, one of…
A Really Wild Weekend
Keeping it Wild's Lily Leatherland takes you along on a Wild Weekend with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's youth led volunteer…
