Staff from Porter Dodson recently spent time away from the office volunteering with the Longrun Meadow Conservation Project. Located in the heart of Taunton, Longrun Meadow is a cherished green space that benefits from the dedicated efforts of local volunteers striving to enhance its biodiversity and community appeal.

The Friends of Longrun Meadow are a community group of passionate individuals who manage the meadow with the aim of improving the biodiversity to create a vibrant place to enjoy. During their volunteering mornings, small groups of staff from Porter Dodson were kept busy with a variety of activities aimed at maintaining and enriching the natural habitats within Longrun Meadow. Guided by knowledgeable volunteer’s, staff learnt traditional skills such as scything and raking, identifying and removing non-native species such as Himalayan Balsam, clearing pathways and benches, building a willow barrier to protect the crumbling riverbank and participating in a bee survey. The groups also heard about the other work that goes on throughout the year including hedge laying, willow coppicing and some tested out a newly restored bench crafted from weaved willow with the help of local primary school children.

"We were delighted to participate in the Longrun Meadow Conservation Project for the second year," said Sara Townsend, Paralegal at Porter Dodson. "It was inspiring to witness first hand the dedication of the volunteers and to contribute to the ongoing efforts to sustain this vital green space."

Porter Dodson actively promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives among its staff, encouraging them to engage with local community projects like the Longrun Meadow Conservation Project. These initiatives not only support the firm’s commitment to environmental sustainability but also promote employee wellbeing through meaningful engagement with nature and the community.

The Friends of Longrun Meadow volunteering group continues to thrive through the collective efforts of volunteers and local businesses like Porter Dodson. By fostering partnerships and investing in conservation efforts, the project aims to preserve Longrun Meadow as a vibrant and biodiverse green space for future generations. To find out more information about the amazing work they do please visit Friends of Longrun Meadow