E V E N T S
Sep 19 2010 @ 10:00
MWVG Task: Help us remove the remaining plastic tree shelters
Oct 17 2010 @ 10:00
MWVG Task: Creating areas of shallow standing water within the heathland area
Nov 21 2010 @ 10:00
MWVG Task: Siting Bird and Bat boxes around the woodland
Nov 27 2010 @ 11:00
Tree Planting Event! Date TBC
LATEST NEWS
Sun Nov 28 2010
National Tree Planting Week - end Nov to Dec
Mon Oct 18 2010
RSPB Feed the Birds Day - 18th to 31st October
Mon Jun 21 2010
National Insect Week - Jun 21st - 27th
Sat May 1 2010
Declining British Mammals on Stamps!

latest news
from and around West Chiltington
Bracken - Friend or Foe?
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?   

 

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