The Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre was given a timely boost to its activities with the donation of £1,000 and some willing volunteers from a local company.
“We do some work with students from disadvantaged backgrounds which can help introduce them to the great outdoors and help to increase their self-esteem,” says Brian Heppenstall, Senior Ranger. “The donation we received from J.P. Morgan has been put specifically towards an education area for local schools and groups enabling us to build a pond, which will be the main feature, and allow for pond dipping. The work is already underway and construction will be completed in the New Year.”
Hengistbury Head is also home to the Natterjack Toad, a European Protected Species. They have a very distinctive call and it can be heard up to two miles away.
“There are only 60 reservations where the Natterjack Toad lives and we have just two on the South Coast,” added Brian. “They particularly like sandy soil and a pond that dries up. “We had about 30 people in total, which included children of volunteers from J.P. Morgan, who helped to shift the sand and spread it around to enhance and improve the habitat which was great.”
J.P. Morgan employs 4,000 technology and operations staff at its Bournemouth Corporate Centre and has a strong history of community engagement.
For further information about the visitor centre call 01202 451618 or visit the web site www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk