The conservation volunteers will be again in the Valley on the Marsh at UEA this month, on Friday 21st. Other work near to the Valley will be at Bunkers Hill on Friday 7th. Bunkers Hill forms part of a green finger that reaches out from the Bowthorpe Marsh in the Valley and in to the developing Bowthorpe residential area, and so has a contribution to make to the ecological network.
Mark usual pun full newsletter and programme is here. Free bus travel to the conservation sites is on offer for Mondays of this month.
Two of the barriers to the McCarthy Stone green space have now been removed creating two public access points, one of which, with care, is practical for wheelchairs. The planned access point to the Strawberry field still remains blocked by a fence – although able bodied people have found a way round this. On the original plan a stile was envisaged for this point, but YVS has argued that this is not appropriate, particularly for a green space adjacent to an over 55s development, and it has asked for the access to be on the flat.
Wheelchair access from Leander Court/Daisy Hill Court path. Photo: Hilary Hann
One of the two new access points is from the path between Leander Court and Daisy Hill Court apartment blocks, and the other is from the footpath alongside the Cringleford Flyover linking the Yare Valley Walk (riverside walk) with Bluebell Road. The proper opening of the access point from the Strawberry Field will create new opportunities for short circular walks in the Valley.
There has been extensive planting of trees, shrubs and seeding of meadows. YVS asks users of the green space to take care to give the vegetation the best chance to establish itself, ideally by keeping to the surfaced paths.
Matthew Davies, the Norwich Fringe Project Officer, is warning of a temporary closure of one of the paths on Marston Marsh. It is close to the point known locally as “the golf crossing” Matt writes:
“We will be pollarding some willow trees on Marston Marshes:
After much delay planting is now underway on the green space adjacent to the McCarthy Stone development on the Bluebell Road. The landscaped area will have links to the Strawberry Field and to the Yare Valley Walk and will open up opportunities for new green circular walks.
The planting of trees and other environmental mitigations for achieving biodiversity net gain for the development were a condition of the planning approval. From the start of the development the Yare Valley Society has pressed for the completion of the landscaping of the green space and the other required ecological improvements. It has monitored its progress, and provided reports to the Norwich City Council Planning Department. A recent survey by YVS found that most of the environmental mitigations are now in place. Some, such as hedgehog gaps in the boundary fence, and boundary hedgerow infill planting, are still outstanding, and are being followed up.
At most points of entry to the green space there is fencing, and it is probably as well that general public access is restricted until the planted meadow areas have been given time to become established. People have been seen inside the area already. There are surfaced paths, and it is to be hoped they remain on the paths and treat the newly planted areas with respect. Moles already have access:
Much of what we enjoy in the Yare Valley is overseen by the Norwich Fringe Project ; supported in many of its projects by a band of volunteers. The volunteers get valuable experience in aspects of conservation work. In January they were at work on Eaton Common:
Here they are pollarding a Crack Willow Tree. An explanation of why this has become necessary, and for more pictures of their activities go to the YVS Facebook Page.
The Conservation Volunteers reach out to some new sites this month, together with no less than three SSSI sites. In the Yare Valley they will be cutting and raking in the UEA reedbeds on Monday the 24th February. A letter from the team Leader, Mark Webster, and the full programme of activities is here.
The conservation volunteers spread their wings still further with half a dozen new sites added to their programme this month. No work planned for the Yare Valley, but plenty of opportunities to become involved elsewhere. The organiser Mark Webster writes: “While the birds are having a rest from breeding, for us it’s full tilt on habitat improvement works over the winter, with a focus on ponds, woodlands and heaths, including three designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at East Ruston, Swannington Upgate, and Flordon.” His full letter to Volunteers together with the this month’s Programme is here.
The new Biodiversity Officer and Volunteer Coordinator at the University of East Anglia, Nadia El-Fakhri, is putting together a list of people who would be interested in helping out on conservation work parties at UEA. Her role is new at UEA. It was created to implement the University’s Green Infrastructure Strategy. UEA’s aim is to conserve and improve ecologically important areas on campus for biodiversity and to involve the community in the process.
Nadia says:
“We’ll be working on a few different sites across campus including areas closed to the public such as Bluebell Marsh and Lusty Hills. Tasks this winter will be things like gorse and scrub clearing, tree removal and reed cutting. In the warmer months we’re hoping to do some river bank restoration, ragwort pulling (so we can continue to make hay!) and biodiversity monitoring. All training and equipment is provided and there will of course be hot drinks, treats and socials down the line when we have regular groups established. I’ll be sending an email out with details soon so if anyone would like to be on the contact list please fill in this form.”
Nadia on the left at YVMM plant survey at UEA meadow
Nadia is experienced in conservation work and was previously one of the Yare Valley Meadow Makers (YVMM). If you are interested in giving practical help to improve the ecology of the UEA area of the Yare Valley Green Corridor, please sign up with the UEA Biodiversity Heroes here.
All equipment, PPE and training will be provided and there will be hot drinks, treats and socials down the line when some regular groups are established.
The volunteers will be at UEA Marsh on the 9th and 16th December to help manage the wetland habitats on campus. Join them if you can.
Mark Webster of the Conservation volunteers sends a Christmas Message:
“Tis (almost) the season for ho, ho, ho rather than hoe, hoe, hoe (or rake, rake, rake). As far as I’m concerned it’s Bah Humbug until 1st December, but that’s now very soon – so here is your festive December programme. We are moving in some exalted circles this month from dreaming spires (the Catholic cathedral) to the concrete jungle (UEA) as well as visiting some old favourite sites for more long-term projects. During this month Santa will also be delivering some TCV-branded clothing to all volunteers who have been good this year. There will as usual be some well-earned downtime for us all for the Xmas holidays. I hope you know someone who will enjoy this month’s tasks, they can then feel free to indulge in (just a little bit) too much eating and drinking during our midwinter break – and you know how they can best to get fit and healthy again in January… Merry Christmas! Mark.”
The programme of Conservation Volunteering to improve local green spaces is here. Join in whenever suits you.
A consultation is now open on Norwich’s first parks and open spaces strategy. It is at Get Talking Norwich where you can read the draft strategy and respond to questions and say what you think about it. You have the opportunity to use an interactive map to comment on areas of particular interest to you. You will see from the map there are a lot of green spaces in the Yare Valley that you can comment on. The river marks the Norwich boundary. Remember that these green spaces tell only part of the story, because much of the green space of the Valley Corridor lies on the other side of the river, outside of Norwich. What may seem like small insignificant disconnected green spaces on the Norwich side of the river, become linked up once the bigger picture is viewed.
The Yare Valley Society has already taken part in workshops on formulating this new Greater Norwich Green Infrastructure Strategy, and will make further comment on the resulting draft. Please support us by responding to ensure the Yare Valley receives the attention a major Green Infrastructure Corridor deserves.
The consultation is open until Thursday 2 January 2024.
