Who we are, what we do and why
HGG is an independent volunteer nature conservation group run by its members, with support from Horsham District Council.
We work at various sites in and near Horsham, West Sussex getting exercise and fresh air while improving the local environment, learning new skills and making new friends. Membership is free.
Programme
Our programme of work is planned every three months for the next three months. Sometimes, due to weather or other factors, sites and tasks have to be changed at short notice and it pays to view the website before leaving home.
When we meet
We meet at 10 am every Tuesday and Thursday through the year. The Tuesday group regularly has more than 30 people; about 20 members come to the Thursday meetings.
You can attend on either day or both, as your other interests and commitments permit. We usually aim to finish work by 1.0 pm.
Please have a good look at the ‘How to join us‘ page.
What we do
Tasks have included installing simple benches, tree planting, clearing streams, bird box making, rhododendron, gorse and bramble clearance, path creating, path resurfacing and creating glades in the woods to allow wild flowers to re-establish.
We are also proficient at creating dead hedges and removing plastic tree guards. Our members also have experience of pond clearance, fencing and coppicing.
Bat Bothy
In autumn 2019, members were involved in helping to build Bat Bothy. It takes inspiration from the Reserve’s historical association with the iron industry in the seventeenth century, being based on the shape of a blast furnace of that time.
It also incorporates access to the central space for bats to roost in. At 2.8m high it is an impressive edifice!
A short film may be seen on YouTube and here
Interested?
If all this sounds like something you would like to do, please have a good look at the ‘How to join us’ page.
Are you involved with the care of a community site?
If it’s in the Horsham area, we may be able to help with clearance tasks. A group of keen volunteers can achieve a lot in a morning – and save you money.
Please get in touch via the Contact details. Note that we usually ask for a cash donation.
Need more reading?
Some health benefits of joining Green Gym
Our Constitution.