Volunteers clean up Red Lodge wildlife area

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  More than 30 RAF Mildenhall volunteers helped combat illegal dumping March 6 as part of a wildlife cleanup effort sanctioned by the Forest Heath District Council and the Red Lodge Conservation Group.

The Airmen joined Red Lodge villagers and about 10 local constables to undertake the restoration efforts.

"This cleanup effort is essential for the conservation of the environment for not only the protection of plant, animal and insect natural habitats but for the people of the community," said Tech. Sgt. Cheron Nieves, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron's acting noncommissioned officer in charge of the hazardous materials pharmacy.

The volunteers met at the Millennium Centre at 9 a.m. then started the de-litter effort while contractors excavated large amounts of waste and litter on an adjoining street, where major appliances and other large trash items were dumped.

Fencing was put up around the newly-cleaned wildlife area March 8 to protect the area from illegal dumping and to prevent riders from illegally operating their motorcycles in the protected wildlife area.

"Cleanup has been needed in the area for quite some time but until Upton Suffolk Farms bought the site in 2009, this wasn't possible," said Matt Vernon, Forest Heath District Council community development officer.

Now comprehensive management plans are shared by the Red Lodge Conservation Group (which was formed in 2007 to address community concerns regarding health in the rapidly-growing community), Forest Heath District Council, and Natural England.

"In the future, Red Lodge will see information boards and footpath improvements erected across the site as well as improvements to habitat management," said Mr. Vernon, stressing the Red Lodge Conservation Group is always keen on new volunteers.

From Team Mildenhall, volunteers are what they got.

"This was a great opportunity for members of RAF Mildenhall to show our support for conservation efforts," Sergeant Nieves said. "It's an opportunity to stand with our British neighbors and give back to our home away from home."