NEPO and EDF join forces for volunteering day at Northumberland College Zoo

Team members from NEPO and EDF recently participated in a volunteering day at Northumberland College Zoo in Kirkley, Northumberland.

The event brought together NEPO members and colleagues at EDF Business Solutions for a day of hands-on activities supporting the zoo’s vital work in animal care and biodiversity.

Volunteers began the day with a guided tour of the zoo and its many inhabitants, before rolling up their sleeves to de-weed animal enclosures. An important task to support healthy grass growth for the paddock animals. After lunch and updates from NEPO and EDF Business Solutions account management teams, the group enjoyed feeding some of the paddock animals, including alpacas, goats, donkeys, and Shetland ponies. A highlight for many volunteers was the opportunity to enter the squirrel monkey enclosure and help feed these curious and energetic primates.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in a biodiversity project, identifying and recording plant, animal, and insect species on site using the innovative iNaturalist App. This activity is part of the UK-wide ‘BIAZA Spotted on Site’ campaign, delivered in partnership with iNaturalistUK and the National Biodiversity Network Trust (NBN Trust). Northumberland College Zoo currently ranks 12th out of 281 member sites on the campaign’s national leaderboard.

Laura Kyle, Energy Lead at NEPO, said: "Social value is really important to us here at NEPO. It’s built into everything we do because we want to make sure that we’re serving our communities at a local level and supporting the local area to thrive.

"It’s been brilliant volunteering with EDF today, building on over six years of partnership EDF shares our commitment to helping the public sector achieve both financial and environmental goals through our procurement framework."

James Lusby, Senior Relationship Manager at EDF Business Solutions, said: "Electricity powers homes, businesses and key public buildings across the country. We’re proud to continue our partnership with NEPO, delivering reliable electricity to public sector buildings in the North East while supporting local communities and promoting social and environmental benefits."

Located within the 400-acre Kirkley Hall College campus in Ponteland, Northumberland College Zoo is home to over 200 species, including many endangered animals participating in European Endangered Species Programmes. The zoo has been recognised as Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the North East Tourism Awards.