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.
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    Walking in nature

    Hello,

    As I write this edition for Keele Wildlife Society... May is coming to a close! According to the Met Office, this spring has been the sunniest since records began with over 573 hours of sunshine recorded. I hope you all have been able to enjoy the sunshine and recent warm temperatures!

    Each time I take a walk or cycle I feel lucky; lucky to live in the countryside, lucky to be able to enjoy wildlife and lucky for being able to watch the season's progress. This week I have been on a 5-mile walk along the River Stour, passing through fields and areas of wildlife conservation. I was able to see and hear so much wildlife; I admit I notice more these days compared to ever before. One of the most frequent sightings was of the Enallagma Cyathigerum (Common Blue Damselfly). However, another common sighting was of rubbish including takeaway wrappers and personal protection equipment (PPE). This is a huge disappointment. The local takeaway has only just reopened and demand for PPE remains high….. What makes people decide to leave their rubbish in the countryside?

         

    As many of us are aware, this is not a unique experience. A simple online search brings up multiple news articles from large scale fly tipping to individuals throwing rubbish from car windows. One reason for an increase in fly tipping this spring is the temporary closure of recycling centres and with many spending so much time indoors; it is unsurprising that the amount of waste we are accumulating has grown. But, we must be responsible. We must look after wildlife and the countryside. Many of us within the society are active in litter picking and may feel encouraged to do so when we see litter around our local areas. If you are litter picking to help make wildlife safe, ensure you keep yourself safe - especially when dealing with discarded PPE.

    As always, send us our stories or photos of wildlife around you!

     
    HogBlog 2: Bronze is Submitted!

    Submission for Hedgehog Friendly Campus Bronze

    We have now submitted our first accreditation towards the Keele Hedgehog Friendly Campus Bronze Award!!

    What the Keele Hedgehog Team have done so far...

    • 7th November 2019 - Launch Working Group
    • Welcoming staff and students from all faculties and backgrounds!
    • We have formed social medias' including Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HedgehogFriendlyCampusKeele/ ) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/KeeleWildlife )  
    • We have reminded the grounds team on what to do if they find a sick, injured or orphaned hedgehog.
    • We've added stickers to the strimmers and some leaf blowers to remind users to check the area for hedgehogs before trimming the grass.
    • Plans are in place to perform hedgehog surveys around campus in early Spring.
    • We have done regular student litter picks too - if any staff have done litter picks we would love to know (soc.wildlife@keele.ac.uk).
    • We will frequently write HogBlogs which can be found on the News section here - https://keelesu.com/activities/society/keelewildlifesociety/

    Please join us and get involved for the next accreditations of silver and gold!! Learn more about how you can save and protect these lovely creatures.

    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.

     

    Social Media for Hedgehog Friendly Campus

    https://www.facebook.com/HedgehogFriendlyCampusKeele/ - Facebook Page

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

    https://twitter.com/KeeleWildlife - Twitter

    Please, follow the social media and help spread the word!

    What would it involve for me?

    Getting involved in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus will give you the opportunity to be part of the working group in helping to match the criteria of Bronze, Silver and Gold. That can be found here; http://www.greenimpact.org.uk/hedgehogfriendlycampus/

     

     
    Wildlife Society By-Elections now Open!

    So, the time has come for the Keele Wildlife Society By-Elections!

    Roles the society committee is looking to fill are the Secretary, Treasurer and the Speakers Officer. If you are interested in any of these roles the details are below.

    Please go to the SU website, log into your account and go to the Wildlife Society page to enter the election. Official deadline for nominations is the Monday 16th July 2018. The polls open at 17:00 on Monday 16 July 2018.

    We are a new society, and anyone is welcome to join!

    If you do not want to be on committee but are generally interested in the society feel free to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Links on the website!

     
    Wildlife activities at home

     

    Dear Fellow Wildlife Enthusiasts,

    This April edition of the Wildlife Society Newsletter hopes to provide you all with some ideas and activities which you can do to help wildlife at home. If there is anything which you have been doing please share with us on social media! 

    I have been taking part in the Garden Birdwatch; I am lucky to have seen a range of bird species in my garden. These have included Sparrows, Starlings and a regular Robin which has made a daily appearance at breakfast!. A number of birds are nesting with a young Blackbird finding its flight last week…. It took a few attempts and help but has been successful! If you are interested to take part in this take a look on their website here: https://www.bto.org/ 

    A number of wildlife related organisations and charities have been providing activity ideas. Here are a few pages:

    The Wildlife Trusts

    A number of different activity sheets; for example, creating a hedgehog highway (this can be done with a fence or hedge - anyway you can alter your own gardens to increase Hedgehog mobility!). Another easy way to help nature is by making your own bird feeder; this is something I have very fond memories of doing myself as a child.

    For more information and alternative ideas check out The Wildlife Trusts website here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wild-activities-families-and-schools

    RSPB

    Here you can select the wildlife which you would like to help; this allows you to choose activities which are most appropriate for your location and garden. For example, to help Bees, why not build a Bee B&B? Or you can help Frogs, Toads and Dragonflies by creating a mini pond. Even if you do not have a garden pond this is still an activity for you; all you need is a large container, some rocks and small plants. 

    See the RSPB website for more: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/give-nature-a-home-in-your-garden/garden-activities/

    Zooniverse

    If you are looking for ways to help wildlife online then you could check out Zooniverse. This provides a range of online volunteering to help science and research. Examples include: identifying species and behaviour from cameras, transcribe historical documents and classify sound recordings.

    Take a look on the website and find something which is of interest to you: https://www.zooniverse.org/#projects

    I hope you are safe, well and enjoying nature!

     
    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

     
     

     

     

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