Environmental & Community Work
WildTracks wins Environmental and Community Award in The Ely Standard East Cambs Business Awards 2010
In 2011 we started the WildTracks Charity of the Year and supported The Ormiston Children and Families Trust who work with disadvantaged young people in East Anglia. In 2012 our Charity of the Year was Street Sports who provides free sport to young people at risk of disruptive and criminal behaviour, in 2013 we supported the (Ipswich Town FC charitable Trust) Inspire Suffolk who provide courses on fitness and social skills and in 2014 we are supporting Nicky’s Way. Nicky’s Way offers bereavement support to children and young people through a group experience.
Our work for the environment
At WildTracks we are proud of what we have achieved to improve and safeguard the environment. Since purchasing the 60-acre site 14 years ago, when it was a derelict agricultural dumping ground, it has been landscaped and transformed to create an attractive leisure venue supporting a diverse wildlife community.
We have planted over 6,000 indigenous trees, cleared and cleaned the lake and are now home to over 99 species of native wildflowers and an array of reptiles, invertebrates, birds, fish and mammals. We have an ongoing environmental management plan and work closely with local agencies and government in the implementation of this.
Our spring-fed lake supports a number of fish, insects and reptiles, in particular the smooth newt; other areas of the site have communities of grass snakes. Our mammal population includes hedgehogs, rabbits, hares and deer. To help our wildlife we keep our site “messy” by which we mean we leave piles of branches to rot in the woods, which gives food and shelter to invertebrates and smaller mammals and we keep all grass cuttings to act as nurseries for grass snakes (completely harmless and should be left in peace please).
We often see the following birds on site: shelduck, greater spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, swallow, buzzard, red-legged partridge, wood pigeon, crow, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, magpie, oyster catcher, bullfinch, chaffinch, great tit, coal tit, greenfinch, fieldfare, blue tit and little owl.
Our work for the community
WildTracks is a major local employer, providing employment to a large number of young people in particular. We are receptive to approaches from the local community, schools and charities and support them practically and financially.
Two charities with whom we have a close and long relationship are the Ormiston Trust and Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy (EYLA). The Ormiston Trust works to improve the wellbeing of children, young people and their families whatever their circumstances. The Trust identifies the most challenged children and young people and enables them to have choices to realise a happy and fulfilling future.
EYLA works with disruptive black boys from 8+ who have either been excluded from school or are on the point of exclusion. EYLA nurtures the leadership potential of the young boys and men with the aim of empowering them long-term to become the next generation of successful leaders.
“Thank you again, for taking the time and trouble to make a donation towards our school. It really has been appreciated and has gone towards raising a nice amount of money for our children.” – Kennett Primary School P.T.A.