NEWS23-10-2024

Branching Out and Charging Up

Our Woodland Volunteering Day with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Our team of volunteers from Connected Kerb recently had the opportunity to participate in a Corporate Volunteering Day with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. We chose this local conservation charity because of their commitment to protecting the region's natural beauty and biodiversity.

We started our day early, meeting at the site (Lower Woods | Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust). Our team members came from all over the country, including Bedfordshire, London, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Berkshire, and Gloucestershire itself.

Upon arrival, we were met by Neil, the site warden, who gave us a fascinating introduction to the woodland. We learned that it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the largest ancient woodlands in the southwest of England. This unique habitat is home to a diverse range of rare species, including butterflies, bats, and orchids.

Neil also shared the history of the woodland, which once included a Roman villa. Today, the woods are used for firewood and charcoal production. Unfortunately, the woodland has been affected by Ash-dieback, a disease that has caused many ash trees to die. While some of the dead trees have been removed for safety reasons, others remain standing as a reminder of the disease's impact.

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Our team's task for the day was coppicing, which involves cutting back tree growth to ground level. This practice encourages new growth and helps to maintain the health of the woodland. We were given a dense section of woodland to clear and worked either alone or in pairs.

The wood we cut will be used for various purposes, including chipping to cover muddy pathways, making fences and hedges, and producing charcoal and firewood. As we worked, we saw evidence of deer and squirrels, which can pose challenges for the native species. We also encountered a variety of fungi, including some that were brightly colored and others that were more subtle.

Despite the heavy rain that started falling late morning , our team persevered, working hard to complete our task. Most people had taken wet weather gear and wellington boots, which proved to be essential. Although we all got soaked, no one fell over in the mud!

At the end of the day, we were tired but satisfied with our accomplishments. We had not only contributed to the conservation of a valuable woodland but had also had a great day of team building and camaraderie. It was a rewarding experience to work together with colleagues from all over the country and to learn more about the important work of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

You can find out more about the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust here - https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/

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