Dean Green Team

Wildlife Conservation Group in the

Forest of Dean

Gloucestershire

Autumn Programme 2021

Contact leoni.dawson@forestryengland.uk

For those without email, contact either Leoni on 07917 828222 Or Kate on 07786526280

*Please note that work parties start at 9.45am*

Arboretum day is on the first Thursday of every month - contact Stewart Cooper stewart.cooper@forestryengland.uk or Emily Fergusson emily.fergusson@forestryengland.uk o

Tuesday

31 Aug 21

Clanna

SO583022

Take the B4228 from St Briavels. Turn left onto Church Lane and then left onto Barnage Lane. Closest postcode is GL15 6AH

Remove Laurel…

Tuesday

14 Sep 21

Horsepool Bottom Nature Reserve at Oakraven Field Centre, Jubilee Road, Mitcheldean, GL17 0HC

SO667167

From Mitcheldean take the A4136 towards Coleford/Monmouth and take the first left down Jubilee Road. Oakraven is along there on the left after a couple of miles.

Pond maintenance, fencing, litter collection, bramble clearance.

Tuesday

28 Sep 21

Linear Park

SO644138

From Valley Road roundabout, Cinderford take the track to the burger van on the Linear Park (turn off Valley Road at SO649138). Follow this track past the burger van and park just beyond the metal barrier behind the sewage works.

Plug planting and vegetation clearance. Trowels, hooks, loppers required

Tuesday

5 Oct 21

The Park, Tidenham Chase

ST558992

Meet at Tidenham Chase car park at 10 am

Gloucester Wildlife Trust task

Pine and birch clearance (heathland restoration)

Tackling sections of dense tall birch, chainsaw felled for volunteer debranching and burning in frequent fire sites located at mulched ride intersections. There are smaller birch tasks that can be assigned if keen to avoid chainsaw noise. This area is designed to link two larger previously cleared sections of open habitat. Loppers, pruning saws and gloves available for loan during the task

Tuesday

12 Oct 21

Foxes Bridge

SO62171183

Meet at the Spruce Ride entrance. Next to the Speech house field and opposite Hearts of the Forest school. We will then drive through the woods to the site.

Building dams. Bowsaws, loppers, waterproof footwear!

Tuesday

19 Oct 21

The Park, Tidenham Chase

ST558992

Meet at Tidenham Chase car park at 10 am

Gloucester Wildlife Trust task

Pine and birch clearance (heathland restoration)

Tuesday

26 Oct 21

Flaxley

SO675159

Go up the track opposite Gunns Mill towards the kennels. Meet at barrier.

Coppicing

Bowsaws and loppers

Tuesday

2 Nov 21

Wigpool GWT Nature Reserve

SO652195

Parking: Staff will open gate to assist with parking spaces on Forest ride, (park carefully on roadside to avoid complaints from locals) at 10 am

From Mitcheldean drive up 'The Stenders' road, after 0.5 mile take right to 'Wigpool' continue to crossroad looking junction and GWT truck. Mitcheldean is off the A4136 which links Cinderford to the A40

Pine and birch clearance (heathland restoration)

Thinning the number of regenerating pine trees from the best section of heathland habitat. Bonfires as needed (pine burns slow with lots of smoke), Light thinning of birch trees from main compartment of reserve. Loppers, pruning saws and gloves available for loan during the task

Tuesday

9 Nov 21

Pan Tod

SO634169

When coming along the A4136 from Brierley towards the Nailbridge traffic lights turn left before the lights and head up the hill through Ruardean Hill village and turn right opposite the recreation ground and onto Pan Tod (you should see a flagpole).

Raking and vegetation clearance.

Rakes(!), tarpaulin/groundsheets/wheelbarrows for shifting cuttings, loppers.

Tuesday

16 Nov 21

Woorgreen GWT Nature Reserve

SO625128

From Speech House Hotel, continue towards Cinderford (uphill) past Speech House Woodlands car park and take next left down forest track past Kensley Lodge at 10 am.

Please wait at FE barrier for staff (barrier needs to be locked after arrival – late arrivals please call/text 07900 050115

Birch thinning (heathland restoration)

Volunteer cutting of small birch trees. Dragging cut material to bonfires. It is a very large reserve so we will work areas as one or two teams so that staff can treat cut stumps effectively. Loppers, pruning saws and gloves available for loan during the task.

All tasks are led by FC Ranger or GWT Ranger staff, start at 9.45 am and finish around 3pm

For further information please telephone FC office 03000674800 (reception - only open 9-3)

or Kate Wollen 07786 526280
Email: kate.wollen@forestryengland.uk
or Leoni Dawson 07917 828222
Email: leoni.dawson@forestryengland.uk
or Kevin Caster on 07900 050115
Email: kevin.caster@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk

Guidelines for FC/GWT volunteers- please read and take note!

• When driving on forest roads please drive at 15mph maximum – be aware of other forest users – walkers/dogs/cyclists/horse riders etc.

• Please wear appropriate work wear e.g. gloves, work boots, old clothes, bump cap (goggles available),

• Keep safe working distances from each other – 2 tree lengths when felling and 15 metres from a strimmer.

• Never work close to or under a powerline.

• Work carefully, stay safe! Avoid lone working and report any hazards, near misses or dangerous occurrences to supervisor.

• Please see detailed risk assessments at sessions.

Please bring wellington boots if you have them, as many of the sites are rather wet.
Some of the sites are difficult to find and therefore an ordnance survey map will be useful
As a general rule, we will try to do at least some work on wet days so please bring wet weather gear

There is ALWAYS a qualified First Aider on site so don't be shy about requesting help - Even minor cuts need treating to avoid infection!

2021

(Click here to see schedule for Summer 2021)

2020

(Click here to see schedule for Spring 2020)

(Click here to see schedule for Autumn 2020)

(Click here to see schedule for Winter 2020)

2019

(Click here to see schedule for Early Winter 2019)

(Click here to see schedule for Autumn 2019)

(Click here to see schedule for Summer 2019)

(Click here to see schedule for Spring 2019)