BEXLEY is proud of the number of residents who volunteer for environmental projects across the borough.

And for anyone interested who has not yet taken part in anything, there are lots of opportunities in Bexley to get involved with all kinds of different projects.

Lesnes Abbey Conservation Volunteers help take care of the historic Lesnes Abbey Wood in Abbey Wood.

They are busy on most Sundays, undertaking tasks such as coppicing, hedge laying, wildlife surveys, pond and heathland management and its specialist project the reptile hibernacular which provides safe sites on the heathland for reptiles to hibernate. Call 020 8310 3033.

On the other side of the borough, Friends of Foots Cray Meadows are busy working with others to preserve and improve the open space; helping to plant trees, collect native seeds, clearing and digging ponds, planting wildflowers and organising walks led by experts. Email ffcm06@gmail.com East Wickham Conservation Volunteers take care of East Wickham Open Space in Welling, establishing all-weather paths to make the area accessible all-year round, planting wildflower meadows, making the area more attractive to bats and carrying out regular surveys of the space’s flora and fauna. Email peterdadswell@eastwickham.org.uk Friends of Danson Park take on a slightly different role, acting more as guardians of the park an helping fundraise for park projects but there is always scope for volunteers to take on new tasks. Email joan.glastonbury@hotmail.co.uk Thames21 Riverkeepers care for the River Cray and the Thamesmead canals, helping to clear rubbish from the river and its banks, protecting and encouraging its fish and wildfowl. Visit thames21.org.uk Joydens Wood Support Group helps the Woodland Trust maintain and enhance the 314 acre ancient woodland, clearing and maintaining paths ridding the woodland of rhododendrons and organising community events. Call 01322 522492.

Woodlands Farm Trust in Welling is preserving the farm as a community trust, with lots of opportunities to work on the land, with animals and fundraising. Call 020 8319 8900.

The North West Kent Countryside Partnership is part-funded by Bexley Council and several other nearby boroughs and carries out a variety of different work across Bexley, Sevenoaks, Dartford and Gravesham.

Tasks include creating school gardens, ponds and open spaces and helping maintain woodland access across the area. Go to nwkcp.org/