Citizens help out! what do you mean…Well let me explain.
Sunday the 23rd of July was a Low Moor & Oakenshaw Conservation group work day grubbing up sapling Silver Birches and removing Rosebay Willowherb from the lowland heath at Raw Nook nature reserve.
But today we had a group of young people from the ‘ National Citizen Service ‘ helping up as part of one of their projects. And not only did they give us their time and hard work but as part of the project they raised funds our group through sponsorship gained by speaking to businesses etc.
The total they raised is around £200…..Which is brilliant. So a massive big thank you from the L&O.C.Group
And this group of young adults who were a real credit to the N.C.S had another surprise as they had secured sponsorship from //www.ata-builders-merchants.co.uk/ of Cleckheaton and the company donated a wheelbarrow, spades and gloves to our group. So again many many thanks to ATA builders for their generosity.
So it was time to get stuck in to the days tasks and by did everyone get stuck in..
But suddenly Charlotte stated ‘ Ive found a moth ‘ I went to look and it was a Map-winged Swift only the second record for the site…so well done Charlotte..
The Silver Birch saplings were grubbed up using matlocks and an estimated count of uprooted trees must have been well over 250…leaving a large area of heather to flourish and wildlife to take advantage. And this happened when I heard a loud shout from James who was busy digging up the Birches ‘ Martyn I’ve found a blue dragonfly’ I ran over to find..
a stunning newly emerged Emperor Dragonfly. Excellent observation skills James..
But there was another task pulling up the Rosebay Willowherb which was gradually suffocating the heather.
And working diligently together as a team they cleared plants from a huge swath of heather.
So by 16.00 this excellent hardworking group were on their way home. But from speaking to many of them they had really enjoyed the experience of working and learning about our environment and it’s ecosystem. So what did I, and I’m sure the rest of our group gain from their presence, well…watching the next generation been so enthused by the tasks they were undertaking.
Future good luck to you all….
We had such a brilliant time and we’re so grateful for the experience! Thankyou for such a lovely article also 🙂 Keep doing an amazing job and all the best for the future!
David from Oakenshaw Residents’ Association here. Thank you so very much to all the youngsters who gave their time to do this valuable work. It’s really appreciated by me and all who use the area to walk and enjoy the wildlife there. I expect you learnt a lot from Martyn too! I know I always do!