Meet our volunteers - Selwyns Wood VRM Dennis Harding

We caught up with Dennis Harding, Volunteer Reserve Manager (VRM) for Selwyns Wood Nature Reserve near Heathfield.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My interest in wildlife started when, as a child, my big brother kept bringing back to our kitchen, animals that were the overflow from a rescue centre. I never knew what I was going to share my cornflakes with; deer, ducks, Rabbits. I moved on to do two degrees in Conservation, but it is the practical experience which is most important.

And your history of volunteering roles with Sussex Wildlife Trust?

I helped with surveys on Ebernoe and The Mens decades ago and have now been volunteering at Selwyns Wood for more than 25 years.
I've been the Volunteer Reserve Manager there since 2020.

Tell us what you love about Selwyns Wood Nature Reserve

The mix of different habitats in such a small reserve is amazing. We have a variety of woodland, heather glades and three streams, including a ghyll stream.

Do you have a favourite species?

It has to be the Dormouse, which is hanging on and needs all the help it can get.

Time of day?

Tea time is always welcome!

Season?

Actually I really like winter if there is a dusting of snow on the heather patch.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I like seeing the volunteers every week. I've known most for many years and together, we have done so many conservation projects across the site. For example, visitors appreciate the benches which we've made all around the reserve.

What are the biggest challenges?

Sometimes it can be a challenge coming up with new and interesting jobs for our brilliant group of volunteers, who come along every week. Some tasks come round every year, but the new ones are the most exciting (for example, building a new bridge, creating leaky dams). Our visitors are really lovely and friendly. Many are dog owners, and almost all, really considerate, keeping them on leads. Because we are trying to support Dormice here, it's really important not to disturb them (and it's the law too!). 

What are you most proud of?

Our leaky dams project has been really interesting. But more on that for another blog!

Dennis will be contributing a series of blogs, looking in more depth at how Selwyns Wood is supported by him and his team of volunteers, and how they work with Trust Rangers and Reserve staff to conserve wildlife found there