THERE'S a growing army of conservation volunteers looking after south Bedfordshire's beauty spots and country parks.

Almost 100 people in the county who have a bit of spare time are now involved in tasks like scrub-clearing, fencing and hedging to keep a range of public areas in good condition for people and wildlife.

They all work for the Greensand Trust, which has grown to become the primary conservation group in the district.

Originally set up in 1994 as an offshoot of a Wildlife Trust project to improve green spaces around the Greensand Ridge, the Greensand Trust became an independent body in 1999, employing it's own staff and taking control of many of the areas of natural beauty in the district.

Founding member Richard Woolnough was at the time a Wildlife Trust employee, but then took on the Greensand Trust as his own pet-project and evolved it into the force it is today.

Based at Stockgrove country park, the trust runs key local wildlife areas such as Tiddenfoot waterside park, Bluebell Wood and Knolls Wood and is also responsible for educating children across the area about the countryside and the environment. They also assist local councils in matters where there are environmental concerns including planning, agriculture and surveying.

Greensand Trust Head Ranger, Esther Milne, said: "If you think of Beds as divided into three you have the River Great Ouse in North Beds, the Chilterns in the south and the Greensand ridge in the middle. Because of it's poor quality sandy soil it's not a good farming area so you have a lot of woodland, but you also have ancient heathlands. A lot of people have heard of the Chilterns, but not so much the Greensand Ridge, so we're championing it!"

Esther started with the trust nine years ago as an assistant ranger and is now head of a team of six rangers. They look after 50 sites across Beds and she coordinates the work the team does.

Overall the trust has 16 staff, but is heavily reliant on it's volunteers, whose invaluable work helps maintain the many sites the trust manages. Volunteer Jean Staples has been helping out since the the beginning in 1994 and says she has found it to be an extremely fulfilling experience.

"I like working out in the countryside: it is a very rewarding experience. It is a friendly group of people, a sociable activity and healthy".

The staff are always eager to help people learn more about the countryside, and to attract new volunteers.

Esther said: "Anyone who is interested and has a bit of spare time can get involved. There are two teams, one in Leighton Buzzard area, and one in the east of the county. If people have experience and interest in the countryside then they are welcome to volunteer. They just have to get in contact with us."

The trust is currently undertaking a number of developing projects throughout the area including the Ouzel Valley Park Project.