Wildlife

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  • Wildlife Associate Membership£3.00

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Keele Wildlife Society is open to anyone who is interested in wildlife. If you would like to meet-up, make friends and share knowledge then this is a society for you!

What to expect?

The society aims to provide a place for people with a love and interest of wildlife to meet. For events and socials, we will go on walks around the Keele campus and further afield to allow time for wildlife spotting and adventures! We also aim to provide inspiring speakers and lectures on a variety of wildlife topics which may inspire and encourage a stronger passion for wildlife.

In our first year (2018/2019), we were shortlisted for Best New Society in the 2019 KeeleSU Society Awards, and won!
A few years later, in the 2023/2024 awards, we also won the Society of the Year Award for Best Activity-based Society!

This year, we will be holding sessions every other week dedicated to learning more about our wonderful wildlife. In these sessions we will further our knowledge by reseaching, holding discussions, and watching relevant films/documentaries in a friendly and relaxed environment. We will be learning about different species behaviour and relation to the natural world, as well as thinking about their threats and potential needs for conservation. As well as this we will be organising walks/trips on campus and in the Staffordshire area to help put into context what we have learnt. Other, even more exciting plans are in the works, so stay tuned! Keele Wildlife society is open to all, and is a great way to get to meet new people, we're looking forward to meeting you all! 

 

Bi-weekly wildlife session: Held on Mondays 5pm until 7pm in Chancellors - Room 0.007 (CBA0.007)

 

Our additional social events (walks, day trips and pub meets) will be organised and advertised through our society email, Whatsapp group and social media accounts. 

Join the Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group here - http://www.greenimpact.org.uk/hedgehogfriendlycampus/register?team.id=9100 - Staff and students all welcome!! It is a great opportunity to get involved with biodiversity on campus. This is completely free to sign up to.

https://www.facebook.com/HedgehogFriendlyCampusKeele/ - Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeeleHedgehogFriendlyCampus/ - Facebook Group

Connect with us!

Email: soc.wildlife@keele.ac.uk

Our brand new Discord server!: https://discord.gg/aHQ5NcWktN

Also follow us via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Feel free to join our Facebook Group which you are welcome to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeeleWildlifeSociety/

There are currently no upcoming events.
    There are no current meetings
    Upcoming Wildlife Events - February

    Upcoming events... 

    Arboretum Lunchtime Walk

    Join us on Friday, 1pm, 31st January 2020 as part of the Health and Wellbeing Week for an Arboretum Lunchtime Walk with Dr David Emley and Dr Peter Thomas. Meeting at the Forest of Light.

    Please note, this is not a wildlife society run event but all members are extremely welcome and we really do recommend that you go - Dr Emley & Thomas are very knowledgable about the Keele campus and it's wildlife!

    Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/2487454028174113/

    Wild Staffordshire Talk

    Join us for a fantastic and inspiring talk by Scott Latham, who created 'Wild Staffordshire' a purpose-driven not-for-profit organisation committed to a greener planet earth by starting locally with Staffordshire.

    Taking place on Tuesday, 4th February 2020 from 5pm. All welcome to attend. Walter Moberly, Room 0.01.

    Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/997475493985740/

    Volunteering Week

    Volunteering Opportunity - Litter Pick on Campus

    We will be meeting at the SU at 10am and will collect litter at multiple areas on campus. Around we will bring everything back with help from estates and weigh and sort it to figure out how much we picked up. Anyone and everyone welcome! Taking place on Wednesday, 12th February from 10am at the Forest of Light.

    This also ties in nicely with Hedgehog Friendly Campus!

    Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/2568891740047782/

    Volunteering Opportunity - Tree Label Clean Up

    Meeting at the Memorial Garden (near Clockhouse!) we have been asked to clean the labels and signs in the memorial garden of algae. Dr David Emley may also join us to talk about the cherries and the various other trees in the garden too.

    Thursday, 13th February 2020, this will take place between 11am - approximately 2pm but you don't need to be there for it all!

     

    Hope you can make it!!

    Best wishes,

    Alana Wheat

    Keele Wildlife Society President

     
    Opportunities for 2020
    Tree Planting

     

     

    Happy December!!!

    It is the time of year when many will begin to reflect on the past year and make their 2020 to do lists! As a society we also will reflect on the events and progress we have made in 2019 with many more exciting plans being prepared for 2020. This month's newsletter focuses on just a few of the many opportunities open to you with the Wildlife Society for 2020.

    Volunteer with Love The Oceans 

    Love the Oceans was founded in 2014 and seeks to protect vulnerable marine animals in Mozambique through a bottom-up, community-led approach. They offer a volunteering programme lasting between two and five weeks for those who are interested in this area. The non-profit organisation runs multiple initiatives including; teaching local children to swim, beach litter picks to remove plastics and an initiative to be able to reuse rubbish by producing ‘eco bricks’ for building within the local community. These are just a few examples of the work you are able to take part in when you join the volunteering programme next summer!! While volunteering you will be able to take part in a range of tasks, each providing memorable experiences, valuable skills and a chance to build key links within the marine industry, with other volunteers who will become friends for life!! For more information on this opportunity visit the website: https://lovetheoceans.org/ 

    Hedgehog Friendly Campus

    Another exciting opportunity for 2020 is the Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus which has been introduced by the Wildlife Society. As a society, we need to fulfill certain criteria at different levels; by December 20th 2019, we hope to achieve the Bronze level. These are just a few things we need to complete which you can become involved with: write a Hog-Blog about any issue facing hedgehogs, distribute leaflets and create a press release for the Keele University official website. To be involved with this please join the Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group here: http://www.greenimpact.org.uk/hedgehogfriendlycampus/register?team.id=9100 . The group is open to staff and students! It is a great opportunity to get involved with biodiversity on campus and is completely free to sign up to. 

    Tree Planting 

    This semester as a society and with the help of staff and students, we successfully planted 300 trees on campus. Across two days, over 30 people volunteered their time to help with this fantastic event. Thank you to each and everyone who got involved; by sharing our event online, planting trees and showing support!!! We hope to continue to leave a positive impact at Keele into the future. One way we hope to do this is by another tree planting event….. keep an eye out for updates over the rest of the academic year!! If you would like to be involved, feel free to contact Keele Wildlife Society via email: soc.wildlife@keele.ac.uk .

    *See more about this fantastic event here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/december/tree-planting-climate-change/trees-planting-climate-change.php .

     

    These are just a few ways in which you can be involved to help nature with the Wildlife Society! If you have any ideas of other ways feel free to let us know!

    Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

     
    Keele Wildlife Society March Update

    Hello,

    Speakers Officer Talk - 25th February 2020

    Come along to our very own Speakers' Officer, Henry Simpson's talk on his great travels across the world and his ventures to the deep!

    Henry will be doing two talks one starting at 17:00 and one starting at 18:00. Taking place in CBA0.01.

    Keele Green Festival - 9-20th March 2020

    The Keele Green Festival is nearly here!! 

    The events are up on the Green:Keele Facebook page so get the dates into your diary! Everyone is welcome!!

    Between the 9th-20th March, every day will be full of sustainability-related events along the theme of Zero Carbon and Climate Justice. Events range from volunteer opportunities, workshops, talks, tours, gardening, crafting, film screening, cooking, stalls and so much more!!

    Please share with your friends, colleagues and spread the word!

    Which events will you be going to? 

    Keele Wildlife Society will be helping to run a few of the events but particularly the Wildflower Seed Ball (Bomb) making on Friday 13th March. We will then spread these around areas where they are least likely to get cut. 

    There are lots of green and environmental-related opportunities so please do get involved!

    Hedgehog Friendly Campus Working Group

    Taking place on the 10th March 2020, 1-2pm in CBA1.076. The Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus working group will be having a brief meeting to discuss the use of pesticides and rodenticides and the impact of those on hedgehogs. We will also be discussing plans for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus silver and gold accreditation! Lots of great opportunities to take part in!

    All welcome! No prior experience needed. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the group!

    Voting in the Elections

    Voting is now OPEN for the full-time officer elections! This is our opportunity to achieve the Democracy and Campaigns Stripe - the more members of the Wildlife Society that vote in the elections, the better! 

    Remember, for every student that votes in the elections the SU will plant a tree (and we can help them do it!)... Why not!?

    Keele Wildlife Society Committee Nominations

    The Committee elections are approaching!! When nominations open, please upload a photo and your manifesto. This will then give an opportunity for members to vote for next years committee!

    The 2020 dates are as follows:

    • Monday, 9th March at 9am - Nominations open
    • Friday, 20th March at 9am - Nominations close
    • Saturday, 21st March at 9am - Voting opens
    • Thursday, 26th March at 9am - Voting closes
    • Friday, 27th March - Results are published 

    The positions that can be run for are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Speakers Officer and Welfare & Inclusions Officer. The roles that must be filled are President, Secretary and Treasurer.

    For more details on the roles and the society, please see the Constitution available on the KeeleSU Wildlife webpage - https://keelesu.com/activities/society/keelewildlifesociety/

    All members are encouraged and welcomed to run for the committee - it is a great opportunity!! If you have any questions about being on the committee - please drop any of us a message or email. 

    Always happy to help!

    Have a wild week!

    Alana

    Keele Wildlife Society President

     
    Elections!

    Hello all Wildlife enthusiasts,

    Thank you for your involvement with all of the recent Wildlife events at Keele! We hope you have enjoyed them as much as the committee has!

    It is that time of year again where you have the chance to be a committee member with the society for the next academic year. The positions available are:

    • The President
    • The Vice-President
    • The Treasurer
    • The Secretary
    • Welfare and Inclusion Officer 
    • The Speakers Officer
    • The Events Coordinator

    The President

    • The principal spokesperson and representative of the society
    • They shall have overall responsibility for the development and growth of the society.
    • They shall be responsible for performing the duties of any unelected officers in their absence.

    The Vice-President

    • They will assist the President and stand in their place if they are not available.
    • They shall be responsible for performing the duties of any officers in their absence

    The Treasurer

    • Ultimately responsible for the society account and shall ensure that society funds are spent sensibly and within the society means.
    • They shall be responsible for keeping financial records and producing a financial report to the society Annual General Meeting (AGM)

    The Secretary

    •  Responsible for taking minutes at all society meetings.
    • Maintaining the membership and mailing lists of the society.

    Welfare and Inclusion Officer

    • Attending specific welfare-related training to fulfil their role.
    • Working with the committee to plan socials that consider all members

    The Speakers Officer

    • Invites speakers and organises speaker events.
    • In charge of arranging venues and providing members with the opportunity to meet and network.

    The Events Coordinator

    • Thinks of ideas for events, socials and walks for the society.
    • Use social media to regularly promote and post about upcoming events.

     

    Nominate yourself now and help the Keele Wildlife Society continue to be a fantastic society!!!

    Important dates:

     

    Nominations

    OPEN: Monday 9th March (9am)

    CLOSE: Friday 20th March (9am)

    Voting

    OPEN: Saturday 21st March (9am)

    CLOSE: Thursday 26th March (9am)

    Results

    PUBLISH: Friday 27th March

     
    What is happening to wildlife during COVID-19?

     

    What is happening to wildlife during COVID-19?

    As we all know, staying indoors at the moment can be dull and make us desperate to once again be reunited with wildlife and the outdoors. Many of us are still doing what we can to continue enjoying nature by looking outside of our windows, spending time in our gardens or during our daily exercise. Keele Wildlife Society Treasurer, Sophie Tankard, has shared some photos of the wildlife which she has encountered during her lockdown experience including wild deer and butterflies!

                                                    Butterfly by Sophie Tankard                                         Deer by Sophie Tankard

    (Photos: Sophie Tankard)

    Have you had any wildlife encounters which you would like to share with the society? If so, let us know via email or social media!

    It is wonderful to see nature flourishing and behaving in unusual and often unseen ways due to the lack of human presence. For example, wild flowers are growing on the roadsides. Due to the current situation, councils have stopped the cutting of these areas as a result of the redirection of finances and staff shortages. Charities such as Plantlife, who have campaigned for the reduced mowing and cutting of roadside plants for many years, hope that councils will change their previous methods due to the flourishing and benefits for nature. In addition, reduced vehicle usage has seen pollution levels decrease. This is benefitting traditional plants and allowing increased diversity as these plants previously faced competition from nitrogen-loving plants such as nettles. 

    Over the past few weeks, wildlife has been seen to be discovering what are now human free spaces with multiple species being found in urban centres. For example, wild boars in central Barcelona and goats in Llandudno, Wales. 

    Read this article regarding the goats in Llandudno:

    https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/goats-llandudno-wales-town-coronavirus-uk-lockdown-wildlife-2523916

    Here is a video regarding wild boar in Barcelona:

    https://www.elnacional.cat/es/sociedad/coronavirus-video-jabalies-centro-barcelona-confinamiento_482691_102.html 

    Other wildlife stories:

    • Increased sightings of Moles above ground

    • Oyster Catchers are nesting on deserted beaches

    • Hedgehogs have a lower threat of being killed on the road

    • Less disturbance (e.g. by dog walkers) for breeding birds which are nesting in new areas 

    But not all animals are benefiting with many needing to find new sources of food due to the lack of human presence providing them with easily and readily available food source options. Look out for our next newsletter which will highlight multiple ways in which you can help wildlife from your home this spring! 

    Happy Easter,

    Stay Safe

    Keele Wildlife Society 2020

     
     

     

     

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