Month: June 2024

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Conservation Volunteers July Programme

Their programme in July includes conservation work in the Yare Valley Bluebell Wood at the Junction of Bluebell Road and North Park Avenue, Eaton Park, Norwich. They will be cutting back bramble to allow bluebells to thrive. In July there are also two free courses:

Mark Webster writes:

“… we have two free courses people can attend if they wish:

  • Saturday 20th we have local expert Adrian showing us how to find insects and identify them. All welcome, suitable for all ages, beginners as well as those who already know their bugs and beetles. A great opportunity to see some minibeasts up close, and hopefully find some real rarities. Whether or not you usually come out at the weekend, I hope you can join us for this – bring family and friends!
  • Tuesday 30th we will be running a task leader’s course, giving you all you need to know in order to run a safe and happy conservation task day. Great for the CV, especially for those looking for a job working with wildlife.”
    Details of the programme, and how to contact Mark if you are interested in attending a course, are here.
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Norwich Western Link: A threat to our neighbouring green corridor?

The Yare River Valley and the Wensum River Valley are the two strategic green infrastructure corridors of Norwich. Proposed developments continue to threaten their effectiveness in providing habitat and free movement for wildlife. One threat is the building of roads across the valleys. An additional road across the Yare Valley has been mooted, but there is no definite plan as yet. A new road across the Wensum is now under consideration to carry the Norwich Western Link.  A planning application (FUL/2024/0022) for the Link has been submitted, and it is out for public consultation until 18th August 2024 (recently extended to this date).

Norfolk Wildlife Trust, CPRE, Friends of the Earth and Buglife are have joined with other environmental organisations to condemn the proposals because of the ecological destruction that can be expected to occur. Natural England has sought assurance from the developers Norfolk County Council that a nationally important habitat for a protected species of bat will not be damaged. Whether Norfolk County Council can give such an assurance seems in doubt, but the Council have, none the less, gone ahead with a planning application for the road.

Grounds for objection are detailed by the “Stop the Wensum Link” campaign.

Concern has also been expressed that the route is designed only for motorised vehicle use (or fearless cyclists) with little or no provision for more sustainable means of travel such as walking and cycling. There is no effective shadow route for non-motorised users.

The issues are complex, but if you wish to speak up for our green wildlife corridors and/or sustainable travel, go to the plans and consultation website.

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Disappearing Nature: March to “Restore Nature Now”

Numerous environmental organisations, including Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Woodland Trust, National Trust, Extinction Rebellion and Rewilding Britain have come together intent upon moving Nature up the political agenda at election time. They want to see UK politicians “show strong domestic and global nature and climate leadership by:

1. Giving a pay-rise for nature

2. Making polluters pay

3. Delivering more space for nature

4. Putting a right to a healthy environment in law

5. Ensuring fair and effective climate action”

Read more about their specific demands here. You can give your support to their campaign by joining the march:

Restore Nature Now

Saturday June 22
12:00 noon – Park lane, London W1K
More details here.

If you cannot make it to London, be sure to raise Nature with those who come canvassing for your vote.

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Conservation Volunteers June Programme

Mark Webster writes:

Flaming or Raining?  I don’t know, but it is June soon…as the seasons (twist and) turn in unpredictable ways, our construction work (boardwalks, steps, etc) gives way to tackling invasive species such as bracken – and Himalayan Balsam.  Yes, it’s here again!  We get to see some beautiful hidden stretches of the lovely Wensum Valley, with iridescent banded demoiselles flitting around our heads as we wander the riverbanks hunting for this invasive weed, before it sets seed (3rd rhyme of this paragraph?)

We will also be looking after some new wildflower meadows trees including a Miyawaki Forest. …

The full programme is here.