Get Involved
Practical Conservation Sessions
Volunteers undertake practical habitat management work through the year. During the autumn and winter we focus on cutting down woody plants and small trees like gorse, blackthorn and privet.
This opens up areas of the dunes, creating patches of bare ground and opportunities for the dune grassland plants to recolonise. From spring onwards we spend more time on wildlife surveying, footpath work, litter picking and weeding.
We can offer the bonus of some amazing views across some St Ives Bay – plus biscuits of varying quality! In winter you can enjoy warming bonfires, and sometimes baked potatoes too! Sessions are open to all, and you don’t need any specific conservation experience to join us. You’re welcome to bring family and friends and come just for an hour or two.
Conservation Sessions
Volunteer Pony Checkers
Conservation grazing ponies are used over the winter months to slow scrub growth, and create patches of short vegetation and bare ground. Their poo also provides food for insects, which in turn feeds birds and other animals. Gerald Babcock, the grazier, uses hardy pony breeds that are well suited to conservation grazing on public sites. These ponies are used to a varied diet and living outdoors whatever the weather. Temporary electric fencing is often used to control where the ponies graze.
Volunteer pony checkers (also known as “lookerers”) regularly visit the grazing site/s, checking on the health and welfare of the ponies and that they’re grazing where they’re meant to be. The ponies make a unique contribution to the management of the Towans and Gwithian Green that is really difficult to replicate with tools and machinery. The support of volunteer pony checkers makes the grazier’s job easier and allows more of the Towans to be managed in this way.
If you have a couple of hours a week and would like an excuse to get out for a walk on the Towans or Gwithian Green, you could be an ideal person to join our team of pony checkers. Email for details
Wildlife surveying and monitoring
Collecting information on what plants and animals live where on the Towans and Gwithian Green and how the habitats and species change with time can help to guide how these important sites are managed.
From fixed point photography monitoring, to butterfly transects and bird surveys, there’s sure to be something to suit you and your interests.
Beach Cleans
Keeping the Towans’ beaches clear of litter and marine debris is important for wildlife – and for people. Beach cleans take place every month in the spring and summer months, and new volunteers are always welcome.
Our beach cleans are run in conjunction with Save Our Sand. For more information on the beach cleans please click here
Support Us
We are grateful to all the organisations which help fund Friends of the Towans or contribute to our work. We are always looking for additional support. If you are interested in giving offering your time, skills or expertise, please contact us
If you would like to donate to us please use the blue button on the right.
