Caring for the Banks of the Ouse with St Nicks: A Sunday of Connection with Nature and Community

A Sweet and Green Beginning: Sofonie’s First Volunteering Day with St Nicks at Rowntree Park

On a calm, apple-scented Sunday, with the summer sun gently lighting up the leaves of Rowntree Park, Sofonie Dala joined the St Nicks team for her first hands-on volunteering activity as part of the Ouse Corridor project. Although it was officially her first time doing wild work with them, the atmosphere felt surprisingly familiar—almost like a reunion. Just the previous October, she had taken part in the York Environmental Week, also organized by St Nicks, where her journey into local environmental action had begun.

That day, the task was clear and simple, yet deeply meaningful: help restore the wildlife area by clearing out the old to make space for the new. Alongside three enthusiastic young people and a kind, knowledgeable supervisor, Sofonie rolled up her sleeves and joined in. They cut through thick tangles of weeds, carefully harvested the unwanted growth, and placed the piles in designated spots to be composted or removed—clearing space for light, life, and future planting.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of greenery, layered with the soft sweetness of apples that seemed to hang invisibly in the breeze, as if the earth itself was sharing dessert. 

While their hands worked, their minds wandered through the calm beauty of the park—rippling ponds, shaded paths, and the occasional rustle of birds. It felt like more than just volunteering; it felt like giving back to nature and being gently welcomed into a space that had long been waiting for them.

Though the group came from different backgrounds, the shared work tied them together. Sofonie found herself smiling more than once—here she was, knee-deep in wildness, in the middle of York, and loving every second of it.

This small but impactful day of work directly supported several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 13: Climate Action – by supporting green urban spaces that help absorb carbon and regulate temperature.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – by helping restore habitats where pollinators, birds, and small wildlife can thrive.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by participating in urban environmental stewardship for the wellbeing of all.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – through community collaboration and collective action for a greener future.

As Sofonie left Rowntree Park that afternoon—dusty boots, full heart, and the scent of apple still trailing through the air—she knew this was only the beginning of something beautiful.

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