Di Mitchell was awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award in September
Bones Lane resident Di Mitchell has been hailed as a nature superhero for 30 years of dedicated work looking after Buriton’s wonderful Coulters Dean Nature Reserve.
The site is perhaps best known for its range of orchids and butterflies, but Di’s long-standing commitment has also encouraged a very rich variety of species with swathes of Cowslips and Primroses, followed by 12 species of orchids and a range of other lovely chalk flowers including Round Headed Rampions, Scabiouses and many more – as well as all the other wildlife that can be seen, too.
After the Awards Presentation in Portsmouth in September, Fiona Haynes (the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Officer for the South Downs) said “I honestly can’t think of anyone who has provided such a long period of dedication for wildlife and has been so important in the preservation of one of the most fabulous corners of our county.”
Di explained that she was amazed at being nominated for such an award and was pleased to know that all her efforts and the work by the small local team of volunteers over the last 30 years was so valued.
A lovely video of Di at Coulters Dean can be seen here and information about the Nature Reserve is available here.
Congratulations and a huge thank you to Di !
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are always keen to encourage volunteers. If you would like to join the group who help maintain the Coulter’s Dean Nature reserve with scrub clearing, leaf raking and sheep watching in the Autumn and Winter months at Coulter’s Dean’s please get in touch with Reserve Manager, Fiona Haynes at Fiona.Haynes@hiwwt.org.uk for more information
