As part of National Volunteer Week, our team joined forces with colleagues from Brighton & Hove City Council’s Net Zero team for a hands-on day at the Carden Park Butterfly and Bee Bank, next to the Old Boat Community Centre.

Guided by The Living Coast Education Ranger Jessica Mead, who leads the Greening the Cities project, we rolled up our sleeves for some “rough gardening.” Armed with gloves and tools, we cleared nettles, brambles, and sticky weed, giving space for delicate chalk grassland wildflowers to flourish. These species are vital to pollinators, and with Jess’s expertise, we learned how simple actions can make a big difference for local biodiversity.

It wasn’t just about the hard work, it was also about connection.

“It was great to spend time out in the sun with everyone,” said Sarah Jones, Project Support Officer, who helped coordinate the day.

“My wrists are certainly feeling a little ‘lively’ from a few nettle stings, but I’m going to sleep well after a day in the fresh air doing something useful, in good company,” added Alice Berry, Head of the Net Zero team. “It was also a good way for us to get to know each other better, as we are a relatively new team.”

The day gave us a deeper appreciation of our rare chalk grassland habitats, sometimes called Europe’s rainforest. Rich in biodiversity, the highest quality chalk grassland can host more than 40 plant species in just a single square metre. It’s part of what makes our area a UNESCO Biosphere, one of only 750 in the world.

This volunteering day was made possible through the Council’s employee volunteering scheme, and it showed how rewarding it can be to step away from our desks and into nature.

Want to get involved?
Teams can book tailored volunteering days with the Brighton & Hove Rangers Team by emailing rangers@brighton-hove.gov.uk These paid sessions directly support the Parks team’s vital work across the city. Summer dates fill quickly, so we recommend booking for spring or autumn when it’s a little cooler (and quieter!).

Days like this remind us that volunteering is about so much more than lending a hand, it’s about learning, connecting with nature, and building stronger teams and communities. By coming together to care for special places like the Butterfly and Bee Bank, we can all play a role in protecting the world-class environment we’re lucky enough to call home.