BTCV - Spreading an International Awareness of Conservation
10 04 08 - 12:58 By Victoria McMagnusThe Conservation Corps, an earlier incarnation of BTCV ( British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) was set up in 1959, by some radical environmentalists. It has since grown into an astoundingly successful organization, that is enthusing people to become involved in conservation all over the world.
In a way, it is comparable to the way that the Soil Association grew to become the official body in the UK to certify the authenticity of organic food for sale. Both of these groups retain charity status.
The advances made by the Conservation Corps/BTCV are inspirational and admirable. The CC’s first voluntary project involved 42 volunteers, clearing dogwood at Box Hill in Surrey, to encourage growth of Juniper and chalkland flora. Their projects and volunteer numbers steadily grew, reaching 600 a decade later. By this time they also incorporated education and training. In 1969, there was the first foreign exchange visit, which took place in Czechoslovakia. The title BTCV was adopted the following year.
Today, BTCV employs 650 and supports about 250,000 volunteers a year! It’s a very praiseworthy achievement that now BTCV works in 17 countries in Europe and Africa as well as N Zealand, Japan and the US. This is in the spirit that brought the triumph of the British Empire: going to other nations and getting them to do things properly!
An important part of this project involves volunteers going on conservation holidays. Rather than jetting off on a regular package holiday, a conscientious alternative is to sign up as an ecotourist. This way, BTCV has got people working on environmental projects all over the world, and helping locals to start their own conservation schemes. The idea is spreading quickly, and gives us hope that humanity will finally begin to value the planet.
BTCV has become so well respected in the UK that HRH Duke of Edinburgh is patron, as well as Sir David Attenborough as a Vice President. It is no longer the eccentric hippyish radical group it once was, now having a more business-like structure with a well paid executive at the head. Yet the work it does is still as worthy as ever.
In the UK, anyone can volunteer locally to join a BTCV group. As well as being involved in the projects they can receive valuable free training and qualifications. Amongst the volunteers are: the unemployed; young offenders sentenced to community work (okay that’s not quite so voluntary); school children doing “work experience” and retired old folks. It’s an opportunity to meet people and get exercise and fresh air. Two of my own family have been volunteers.
The point here is that a culture of hands on care for the environment, while having fun, is being fostered and spread world-wide. BTCV encourage anyone willing to start their own local projects. They have published two advice handbooks on this. The info is also online http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/chapter/763
There may already be a small group you can be put in touch with and then you and any volunteers you have gathered could join.
If you are in a country that doesn’t have any equivalent scheme to BTCV you can still take part, if you have a project and a few volunteers. You can contact BTCV asking to be a “partner”, and then you may get a number of eco-tourist volunteers from Britain sent to help you out. This would require some dedication and commitment.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. For example, a local “neighborhood watch” group in Leicester became an effective conservation group, organizing recycling and street tree planting. They did this by liaising with a local environmental organization. Just think of the possibilities. Councils are even known to allow grants for such operations. Some organizational and leadership qualities are needed, but cooperation is key.
This is a practical way you can be part of actively stopping the rot, and reclaiming your nation.
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