"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit"
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About Rudgwick Biodiversity Project
We are a community, voluntary organisation committed to protect the natural environment with due sensitivity for wildlife and the ecosystems that support them. We work closely with Parish, District and National organisations throughout Rudgwick in West Sussex. Our project sets out a program of practical and educational activities, which are free to attend, for the young and old alike, contributing to the way natural resources are managed. (Please see the Calendar of Events page)
We meet on the last Sunday of every month at 1 pm at the Rudgwick Sports and Community Centre (RH12 3JJ). We have varied yet structured workplans with a broad spectrum of activities that are complimented by an annual calendar of events. Tools and refreshments are provided, no skills required or age limits just a willingness to take part, engage with nature and have lots of fun. Why not come and join us digging, planting, surveying, pond dipping, watching bats and birds and making nesting boxes for them, cider making, hedge making, cutting, building gates and generally messing about outdoors!
We look forward to seeing you at our next monthly meeting.
For more information, please go to our contact us page, or feel free to email Greg Cole (Membership Secretary) on gcgreggy@aol.com
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the many varieties of life forms within a given area (an ecosystem). Biodiversity boosts ecosystems, with each species having a vital role to play. At least 40% of the world's economy and 80% of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development and adaptation to new challenges such as climate change.
2010 has been declared International Biodiversity Year.
Threats
Biodiversity is threatened by human activities. It is useful to group threats into the categories of over-hunting, habitat destruction, invasion of non-native species, domino effects, pollution, and climate change. The following three factors are however of notable concern.
Habitat Loss presents the single greatest threat to world biodiversity, and although habitats can recover, the magnitude of this loss at present is 10 times greater than the rate of re-growth.
Non-native, invasive species threaten many local species with extinction, and push the world's plants and animals towards less variety and a widely distributed sub-set of survivors.
Climate change threatens to force species and ecosystems to migrate toward higher latitudes, with no guarantee of suitable habitat or access routes.
If we act now, our children will still be able to go out to their local wood, climb trees, make dens and be amazed by the wildlife they see there.
Biodiversity should be of everyone's concern
Travel Directions
8 miles from Horsham, West Sussex
From Guildford take the A281, sign posted to Horsham; stay on this road until you reach the Fox Inn public house on your right. The entrance to King George V playing fields, Village Hall and Rudgwick Sports and Social Club is located 300 yards further on the right. Go past the village hall and park beside the skate park, you will see our notice board on your left.
From Horsham take the A281, sign posted to Guildford; stay on this road until you go past the sign and right hand turn into Rudgwick village, you will see a Puffin crossing in front of you and the entrance to King George V playing fields, Village Hall and Rudgwick Sports and Social Club is located 200 yards further on the left. Go past the village hall and park beside the skate park, you will see our notice board on your left
