The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), has paid tribute to those who helped the site get through the past, difficult year.
From assisting with path work to preparing the visitor centre for re-opening, many volunteers with the charity put their fears about Covid-19 aside to help make sure Caerlaverock came out of the pandemic in as strong a position as possible.
And as WWT Caerlaverock enters its 50th year, volunteers are delighted to be back, greeting visitors, helping reserve wardens, guiding the public and all of the many other tasks they carry out.
Head of volunteering at WWT, Nicola Stanford, said the centre was immensely grateful to all its volunteers, including those who carried on working right through lockdowns but also those who have not yet been able to return but have expressed a readiness and willingness to come back when they can
“We really couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “It has obviously been an incredibly tough year for everyone and WWT Caerlaverock is no exception.
“When it comes to things like wildlife you can’t just lock up and go home, so to know we had people all around the country willing to carry on helping where and how they could, even while our own staff were often on furlough and unable to come in, was extremely reassuring.
“As well as helping on the reserves they also helped keep things ticking over in other areas – from answering phones, to logging requests – which meant we were in a good position for when it came to our re-opening.
“I really want to pay tribute to all of them both those who have returned and those waiting to come back and say a huge thank you for all the work they have done, both before, during and since the end of the lockdowns over the past year. And as things hopefully start to get back to normal, I can’t wait to see them all back at Caerlaverock.”
Pic: by Sam Stafford/WWT
