No tasks in the Yare Valley this month, but a chance to see some other beautiful hidden riversides while balsam pulling. At some locations, where facilities are limited, there will be the opportunity to try out a portable loo that is being trialled. The full programme is here.
AGM and UEA Campus Ecology
At a well-attended Yare Valley AGM, following the business matters, Tom Everett, the UEA Landscape Manager, gave a talk explaining how the Ecology of the UEA was being managed.
The large number of questions from the audience revealed the interest there was in what he had to say. A sign of how managing the ecology had changed, was his own career progression at UEA. From an early job on a tractor close mowing the Campus grass areas, to now overseeing, as Landscape Manger, the same areas being transformed, with the help of volunteers, to wildflower meadows. It demonstrated how the UEA management of the Campus has been evolving in line with the increasing concerns of biodiversity decline. He also made the important point that, for biodiversity to improve, some of our green space needs to be protected from human and dog intrusion. This was well illustrated by the increase in wildlife, such as of water voles, that were observed to occur after a section of duplicated riverside path was closed. The university campus is on both sides of the river, and forms a significant section of the Yare Valley Green Infrastructure Corridor. It was re-assuring to hear of the efforts being made to improve the ecology of the campus. Walking trails on campus enable you to see what is being achieved.
AGM and Talk on managing the ecology of the UEA Campus
All who value the green space of the Yare Valley are welcome to come along to the Yare Valley Society AGM and Talk:
The AGM will be held first, and take about 30 minutes. Papers for the AGM will be in the next YVS Newsletter, due out early June. The AGM will be followed by the talk by Tom Everett, the UEA Landscape Manager.
Many will already be familiar with the environmental attractions of the UEA Campus with its nature trails, tree trails and Dutch silent garden.
The UEA Landscape Team, supported by volunteers, seeks continually to improve the ecology of of the Campus’s meadows, woodland, and wetlands.
All the papers for the AGM are at the end of the June Newsletter to be found here.