Grassland Restoration Volunteers

The Council wishes to establish a Contract for the provision of the Grassland Restoration Volunteers project. This is a Contract for services.

This Contractor will support the Grasslands for the Future project by leading parties of volunteers to: • identify / survey / record species-rich grassland within the Bathscape to build an inventory of priority grassland sites, gauge their current condition and inform management options • enhance and restore species-rich grasslands through a series of regular practical volunteer work days to improve the wildlife value of grasslands sites and increase knowledge/ skills. Work days should be fortnightly so volunteers have regular sessions, however the exact number and timings will depend on the management plans for the sites • where there is extensive, time limited work to be done, the Contractor will work with additional volunteers from other Bathscape projects.

The Contractor will co-ordinate surveying and management activities in liaison with Bathscape core staff, reacting to site information identified by the Landowner Advisory Services of the Grasslands for the Future project. Training for volunteers will be available through the Habitat Recording and Monitoring project and the Community Skills project but must be supported by the Contractor at the start of practical activities.

It is anticipated grassland survey work will be programmed for the months May to July, to coincide with the peak flowering season. Practical management works will be programmed for the months July to April to coincide with seed collection/hay cutting time in the late summer, seeding/planting in the autumn and avoidance of the bird nesting season for works such as scrub removal.

Grassland surveys will follow a format being developed by Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre for the Bathscape project. Details and further documents are on www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk reference number DN388155