We are lucky to have several volunteers supporting the work of Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Their roles vary from taking part in conservation work parties to supporting school children visiting our Education Centre. Kate L’Amie joins three of our volunteers to find out more…
The Volunteer Ranger
Our National Landscape Rangers are supported by a small team of Volunteer Rangers set up in 2014. Steve Baldwin is one of the original team; ten years on Kate joins him and his dog Maddie to find out about his role.
Steve meets me at the Harbour Office and we set off along the coastal path from Itchenor with Maddie at our sides. In fact, it was a previous dog of Steve’s that got him involved with Chichester Harbour several years ago when he met a staff member at dog agility classes.
More than 10 years later, he reflects on the range of tasks he has been involved with over the years. Fence building, footpath maintenance, scrub clearance and tree planting have been regular tasks, but as we look across the water towards Cobnor, Steve tells me of something that really sticks in his mind. The Volunteer Rangers played a key role in repairing the rock armour around the saltmarsh creation project at Cobnor Point – moving the heavy rocks was a memorable task!
They also play an important part in the regular work parties with the Chichester Harbour Friends volunteers; a duty roster ensures there is always someone on hand to assist the rangers in managing the tasks and providing that extra pair of eyes and experience.
That relationship with the rangers is key for the National Landscape; Steve tells of how they are often called upon for specific tasks in addition to volunteer work parties like building boardwalks, assembling tern rafts, coppicing and wildflower meadow management, even repairing the landing platforms for the Itchenor Ferry.
Throughout our walk Maddie is close by, sniffing in the fallen leaves. Steve comments that autumn is his favourite season – not just the colours, he also enjoys the quieter season for walking. I ask Steve about his motivation as a Volunteer Ranger; it’s a love of the harbour, as well as a strong desire to be part of protecting the landscape and ecosystems for all to enjoy.
This post was taken from the 2025 edition of Harbour Life; you can read the magazine at this link, or pop into the Harbour Office at Itchenor to pick up a copy.