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Inspired by Nature

12 Days Wild

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Written by Emma Byrne, Transforming Lives Trainee

12 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts Christmas challenge designed to get everyone back out into nature for the winter holidays (December 25th-January 5th). The festive period is a great time to make a difference to winter wildlife, including those hibernating such as reptiles and amphibians.

Helping reptiles and amphibians survive the winter requires creating safe, sheltered habitats and safeguarding their natural environments. Here are some effective ways to support them:

 

 

Create Hibernation Spots: Construct log piles, rockeries, or compost heaps in your garden. These structures offer warm, protected spaces for amphibians like frogs and toads, as well as reptiles such as slow worms and grass snakes.

Maintain a Winter Pond: If you have a pond, keep a small area ice-free by floating a tennis ball or using warm water to create a hole in the ice. Ponds are essential for frogs and newts in winter, allowing them to hibernate at the bottom in a cool, stable environment.

Leave Leaf Piles and Unmown Areas: Piles of leaves, leaf litter, and undisturbed ground can provide shelter for reptiles and amphibians. They also create a habitat for insects, which can serve as a food source when reptiles become active on warmer days.

Avoid Disturbing Potential Winter Shelters: If you encounter leaf piles, log stacks, or compost heaps, refrain from moving them during winter, as they may be home to hibernating wildlife.

Garden Gently: When gardening, be aware of hidden wildlife. Be careful when moving piles of natural debris to avoid disturbing any hibernating wildlife.

Join a Conservation Effort: Supporting local conservation organisations that focus on habitat preservation for amphibians and reptiles can significantly help protect these species. Many wildlife charities including Froglife, host winter events or need assistance with maintaining habitats during the colder months.

By taking one or two of these small actions over the festive period, you can help ensure these vital species survive the winter. 

 

Year of the Dragon

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Written by Madeleine Barnes, Transforming Lives Trainee. 

It may be 2024, but that doesn’t mean the new year has started for everyone yet! Chinese New Year, typically celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice and followed by 16 days of celebration focused on family, marks the beginning of a new lunar year represented by one of 12 animals – this time it is the year of the Dragon.

Unlike fiery western depictions like Game of Thrones or the Hobbit, eastern dragons are considered wise and benevolent entities, associated with water and the skies. In the myth that establishes the cycle of years, all of the animals have a great race to attend a banquet hosted by the heavenly Jade Emperor – he is surprised to find the dragon placed 5th in this race, given its powerful abilities, but the dragon explained that it had stopped to bring rain to a village in need, and sent a gust of wind to help the rabbit cross a river safely on a log. It is this kind of selfless care for all species that we hope to encourage in as many people as we can, to protect as much of our world as possible.

‘Dragon’ is a common term used to refer to great crested newts as well, with their faces and bold crests matching the features of western dragons. Froglife’s Dragon Finder app was named for this likeness, and contains information to help you learn about the animals we protect. You can also submit sightings of any reptiles and amphibians to help us know where they are thriving and where they need our help the most. Download the app for free on your mobile and have it handy wherever you go!

To celebrate Chinese New Year and our amphibious friends, here’s an eastern dragon in the style of a great crested newt!

 

New Year’s Eve- My Resolutions

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Written by Chloe Davey: Transforming Lives Trainee

As we venture closer and closer toward the new year, we are given a chance to reflect on our journey of the year we shall soon be leaving behind. Through good times and bad, there have been accomplishments made along the way and downfalls to overcome. With the hope of a new year around the corner, it gives us an opportunity to set up new goals and think about what we would like to achieve or change for the better. Allow me to share my journey through 2023, what I’ve learnt and a preview of my intentions for the upcoming year.

Transforming Lives Trainees doing some pond maintenance

In 2023 I started off my journey being rather disappointed. I’d been trying to find work since I left college back in 2017. I had a few temporary positions, spent a lot of time volunteering in different establishments and received little to no response from every job I had applied for. Not letting the disappointment consume me, I continued to hold out hope. This year had to be the one- I desperately wanted to find my calling. With a developing confidence I began attending job fairs. It wasn’t until my third attempt, I finally found what I was looking for. Froglife, what’s that? I had a wonderful conversation with their Reserve Warden, as she spoke I felt a connection. A spark. This was it…this was my calling!

I’ve always had a passion for nature and animals. The Transforming Lives traineeship has been the perfect opportunity I’d been hoping for. I get to train for a job that I truly love and want to do. I’ve learnt so much in only six months, how to identify native species and to survey and maintain habitats. I joined an amazing, team of other trainees that are supportive and I can share a good laugh with. I’ve developed confidence and have grown so much as a person. When the traineeship eventually comes to an end, I look forward to exploring the new opportunities that await me.

Transforming Lives Trainees with their log pile

It goes to show that you should never underestimate the power of hope as it can lead you to better paths and opportunities. No matter how 2023 may have treated you, I hope there will be many wonderful adventures and opportunities come your way this year.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Inspired by Nature: National Poetry Day

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A Poem for Froglife: written by Madeleine Barnes, Transforming Lives Trainee

 

In Britain’s green embrace, a noble quest,

To shield her creatures, wild and unconfined,

From fen to heath, in every verdant nest,

We guard with care, our destinies entwined.

 

Stunning reptiles, secretive and shy,

Amphibians, in marsh and pond they dwell,

Beneath the bounds of Britain’s sprawling sky,

In hidden worlds are wonders we must tell.

 

Banded grass snake, it hunts by water’s side,

From eggs come bodies someday five feet long,

Smooth newts on wet land crawl with bellies pied,

And famous frog does leap with back legs strong.

 

Toads trill their ancient songs in moonlit swamps,

And slowworms bask beneath the dappled light,

Great crest’s white flash displayed with mighty pomp,

Swift lizard scurries away from your sight.

 

The adder, serpent of the heath and glade,

A symbol of our wild and untamed past,

With caution, let us roam where they have strayed,

And in their coils find diamonds unsurpassed.

 

With habitat and climate under threat,

Preserve the homes where creatures find their rest,

Let’s strive to keep their future safe, course set,

In harmony with nature, we are blessed.

 

By education and a watchful eye,

We’ll shield their habitats, their spirits free,

So generations yet to come may spy,

The wonders of these creatures, as should be.

 

Through conservation’s lens, we find our way,

To nurture habitats, protect their space,

With passion strong, these efforts never sway,

To keep our critters in their rightful place.

 

So, let us guard these treasures of the land,

With steady hearts and caring, gentle hand.

 

Find out more about National Poetry Day (5th Oct 2023) here. 

Cultural Artistic Representations of Reptiles

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Written by Kaitlin Oliver, Transforming Lives Trainee

Throughout history, reptiles have found their way into many different forms of art. All cultures have represented these animals through arts such as paintings, pottery and tattoos. Each culture have their own beliefs on what reptiles mean to them.

In aboriginal art, lizards are often painted in dotted mosaics. Belief says that lizards are part of the Dreaming Stories that relate to the creation of the natural world and to the role of Ancestors and humans in that world.

Dragons are seen in many cultures on all forms of art. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a mythical creature often depicted as a serpent-like being with the ability to fly. It is seen as symbol of power, strength, and good luck. It’s a central figure in Chinese art, especially in traditional paintings and sculptures.

A large petroglyph resembling a lizard at Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA

Many Native American tribes created rock carvings (known as petroglyphs) featuring reptiles, such as snakes and turtles. These images often held spiritual and symbolic significance, connecting the people to their natural surroundings.

In the modern tattoo word, reptiles continue to be a source of inspiration. Reptilian motifs, such as snakes and dragons, are popular choices in tattoo art across various cultures. They can symbolize protection, transformation, or personal strength.

Showcasing the diversity of cultural artistic representations of reptiles, you can see that reptiles have held a complex and multifaceted place in human culture, from ancient mythologies to contemporary expression. Reptiles often symbolize both awe and fear, power and danger, and the natural world’s intricate beauty.

 

We’re dreaming of a green Christmas….

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Go green this Christmas with natural decorations. Consider bringing the outdoors in this winter and surround yourself with the goodness of nature. There are plenty of garden favourites that we can adorn our households with. You may even be able to ask your local greenspace manager for permission to forage for a few items too.

 

Sticks and twigs

Something as simple as putting some bare twigs or skinny branches in a vase look great with some led fairly lights wound around them. Try adding a few baubles here and there too. Why not try framing mirrors or picture frames with a few twigs?

Or have a go at creating small decorations out of twigs like these fabulous three ideas from: https://www.diyncrafts.com

Natural greens

Even at this time of year we can find some lovely greenery to brighten up our decorations. Some firm Christmas favourites include ivy, holly, mistletoe and conifers. Tie together conifer sprigs and slot in some splashings of ivy and holly to make a garland. Or to make these into a wreath try and find some willow or dogwood to create your wreath structure and then weave in some of the greenery. Here is a how to: https://blog.bay-bee.co.uk/how-to-make-a-real-christmas-garland/

Or if you don’t fancy having to weave branches all together, you can simply place individual branches down on the surface you want to decorate, or slot in behind frames, or attach to a picture rail. This is probably best if it is out of reach!

Fragrance:

Why not bring in some fragrance from rosemary, bay, thyme and sage. You can include these within your garlands, wreaths or branch decorations or you could create a mini herb wreath. They also look lovely in a vase on their own.

Other popular Christmas fragrances are oranges, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg so try adding these in too.

Colour:

Don’t forget to add splashes of colour to your decorations. There are plenty of winterberries that you can grow in your garden which are also great for the birds so always make sure to leave some behind, these include holly, spindle, rowan and rosehips. You can be as creative as you like or even just add these to glass jars on their own.

The possibilities are endless and we would love to see some of your creations so do send us over a picture or two! Happy festive decorating!

 

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