Waterfords Celebrates World Wildlife Day 2021:
Win an annual National Trust Membership with Waterfords Estate Agents!
As a local independent estate agent for over 25 years, Waterfords have always enjoyed getting involved with the local community. We think celebrating World Wildlife Day with people across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire is an excellent way to support and appreciate the stunning local area we live in.
We are so lucky that the areas surrounding Camberley, Chobham, Fleet and Yateley are rich in greenspace and wildlife. One of the benefits of lockdown has been that we all get to spend more time exercising in the beautiful local countryside.
What is World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2021 under the theme "Sustaining all life on Earth", encompassing all wild animal and plant species as key components of the world's biodiversity. This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 14 and 15, and their wide-ranging commitments on alleviating poverty, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and on conserving life both on land and below water to halt biodiversity loss.
As a local estate agent, Waterfords understand and support the requirement to balance the need of people needing somewhere to live and the impact of new housing developments on local wildlife.
A good nature-friendly development retains existing meadows, wetlands, hedgerows, trees and woods, and joins them up with wildlife-rich gardens, verges, amenity green space, cycle paths and walkways. The result is a network of natural green and blue corridors weaving through the development and beyond, into the surrounding urban or rural landscape and contributing to the wider ecological network.
This approach improves air quality, reduces surface water flooding and makes developments greener and more attractive places to live. Residents have easy access to safe, beautiful, natural spaces for exercise, play and social interaction. Wildlife becomes part of everyday life.
WIN an annual National Trust Membership worth up to £130!
Photography is one of the many ways you can get out and embrace local nature and wildlife. Whether it is capturing interesting animal behaviours, breath-taking wildlife habitats or the integration of people and nature - soaking up wildlife through the lens is a great way to connect ourselves more with nature.
We want to see your wildlife photos of our beautiful local area. The photographer of the best image will receive a Family Annual National Trust Membership for one year, worth £130, when lockdown restrictions ease and it’s safe to use.
The best photo will be selected by our Founding Directors, Brendan Cox and Gary Brook on World Wildlife Day on 3rd March.
Here are some ideas of photos you could enter:
How to enter:
Simply email your image to marketing@waterfords.co.uk or message it to our Facebook Page with your full name and the location where the image was taken.
The winner will be notified on Wednesday 3rd March and announced on the Waterfords blog, Facebook and Instagram accounts. By entering the Waterfords World Wildlife Day Photography Competition, you agree for Waterfords Estate Agents to use the photograph for marketing purposes. You may enter as many images as you like!
Competition Entry Advice from Waterfords
Please remember to stay local and not break current lockdown rules and regulations. Also, please ensure you always put the welfare of our animals and wildlife first and abide by the following guidelines:
Careful with flash
Animals are very sensitive to light and can be scared or temporarily blinded by a strong flash. If the light conditions aren’t good, a night vision camera is your best bet.
Don’t get too close
Animals are likely to get stressed and panic if you get too close to their home. They may even feel forced to abandon their location. This can have fatal consequences particularly if there are young. A licence is necessary to photograph animals in certain circumstances.
Careful where you tread
Stick to designated paths or tracks. This will mean you are less likely to damage habitat or disturb vulnerable wildlife. You may be on a protected site such as an SSSI where the fauna and flora should not be disturbed.
Protected species
Make sure you know the protected status of a species you are photographing and the laws that protect them. Photographing some species during the breeding season can be seen as a criminal offence.
Don't use tape lures
Playing calls to birds, particularly on a nest, can disrupt their natural behaviour and put chicks at risk.
See our other blog for suggestions of local walks from our team to get you started! CLICK HERE