The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s tree nursery in Swindon is thriving, thanks to our dedicated group of volunteers from our Large Capital Delivery team and our partner OCU Group.
Eleven volunteers took a day away from their usual roles to support the Trust’s vital work in protecting and enhancing local biodiversity. The team carried out a range of tasks to enhance the growth of the young trees, including repotting tree seedlings, painting reclaimed pallet spacers for use as planters, and constructing protective cages to shield young trees from local deer.
The nursery is managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and plays a key role in supporting the local natural environment. Founded in 1962, the Trust manages over 40 nature reserves in Wiltshire and Swindon – including wetland, woodland, meadow and chalk downland habitats – and is committed to helping people connect with nature and take action on climate change.
Lizzy Binks, our Sustainability Analyst said:
“It was a privilege to spend the day supporting the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and learning more about the incredible work they do for local biodiversity and the community.
“Volunteering alongside our colleagues and partners gave us a real sense of connection to the community and reminded us of the positive impact we can have beyond the good work we do in our day jobs.”
Colleagues from our Large Capital Delivery team and OCU Group with members of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and one of their freshly planted saplings
Neil Pullen, Conservation Lead (Swindon), Wiltshire Wildlife Trust continued:
“We are delighted to work with such an enthusiastic and proactive team from OCU/SSEN. Given broad project parameters, the group demonstrated exceptional initiative and problem-solving abilities.
"By day's end, they had successfully constructed a walk-in protective cage, installed raised garden beds, and populated the enclosure with tree seedlings they had carefully transplanted from seeds collected the previous autumn. We greatly appreciate their outstanding contribution and look forward to welcoming them back for future projects.”
This volunteering day is part of our Be the Difference scheme; empowering colleagues to give back to the communities we serve. By participating in projects like protecting biodiversity with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, our employees and contract partners are making a tangible difference in restoring and enhancing the natural environment.
Alina Mone, OCU’s Senior Environmental & Sustainability Advisor added:
“OCU is proud to support the vital work of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust through hands-on volunteering. This initiative reflects our team’s commitment to protecting the natural environment and contributing positively to the communities where we operate. It’s more than just a day of volunteering — it’s part of our broader responsibility to help sustain the world around us.”
This event follows on from a similar volunteering day that took place at another Wiltshire Wildlife Trust site in October 2024. Eight months ago, 26 SSEN and OCU colleagues visited The Great Wood in Grittenham to help remove invasive species and coppicing activities. This was part of a wider project to restore the ancient woodland’s biodiversity. We're proud to maintain a strong relationship with the Trust, which we hope to build on through future opportunities to support their work.