A lot going on this month, as Mark Webster explains:
After a fire and brimstone summer, we are already moving into a sort-of autumn with leaves falling from the trees, the football is back already (did it ever go away?) and so here and now is your September activity programme, packed with useful things to do, but also the chance to discover much more about our threatened wildlife. We always try to include a little bit of learning on our sessions (whether that’s how to use traditional tools, the history of the places we work at, or a bit about the animals we spot) but this month we will especially focus on the flora, as from 9th September our Wild Plant Wednesdays will include a look at the varied plantlife of the sites we are working at in a bit more detail.
As for the actual practical action, we will be doing several task days to help look after Mousehold Heath, where the remaining habitats there are even more precious after a devastating fire, and we will also be paying some extra attention to Smockmill Common, expanding the central meadow area by cutting back encroaching brambles etc. There’s a welcome return to Alderford Common, a site packed with historic interest and nationally significant levels of biodiversity, plus everywhere from a small hidden, private woodland glade (Alpington) to some very popular and vital green spaces right in the centre of Norwich (Ketts Cave, Netherwood Green) all of which have lovely meadow areas amongst their important trees.
Please do encourage anyone who you think could benefit from getting out to join us whenever they can: wildlife needs all the help it can get right now, and we really appreciate anyone giving a few hours to help out. Oh, and they will definitely* enjoy it too!
The full programme for September is here.
