calendar of events what's happening in our local area

calendar of events

what's happening in our local area

September 2010
Sun 19	10:00am - MWVG Task: Help us remove the remaining plastic tree shelters Come and help us remove as many plastic tree shelters as we can in the area of woodland close to... [MORE]

October 2010
Sun 17	10:00am - MWVG Task: Creating areas of shallow standing water within the heathland area This month we're creating areas of shallow standing water to help species like the carnivous su... [MORE]

November 2010
Sun 21	10:00am - MWVG Task: Siting Bird and Bat boxes around the woodland As we did last year - we're going to be siting bird and bat boxes around the woodland - these are&nb... [MORE]
Sat 27	11:00am - Tree Planting Event! Date TBC To celebrate 20 years of the Tree Warden Scheme we'll be planting additional trees in the Recrea... [MORE]

Bracken has been invading areas of grassland, heathland and moorland in the UK to such an extent that its been described in some areas as now being out of control.

We need to protect the heathland in Monkmead Wood because it's not only extremely rare but this habitat is now home to many species who have evolved to live only there.

Once established bracken is very hard to remove. It's deceptive in size - a bit like an iceberg - with the bulk of the plant being underground in the form of rhizomes. It's this part of the plant which is so invasive. Bracken is tolerant of many different soil types and climates giving it a distinct advantage over other less tolerant species. Once established in large clumps it fern like leaves interlink and cause large areas of heathland to become shrouded in shade and other plants are no longer able to florish.

If the bracken around the area of heathland in the woodland were left to colonize the area freely we'd soon lose much of the heathland and the species that live within in.

Once areas were cleared of bracken, the volunteer group found small clutches of bell heather, grasses and small ferns which should all now have a better chance of survial.

If you'd like to find out more about the work of the volunteer group why not join us on one of our next tasks?