Dean Green Team

Wildlife Conservation Group in the

Forest of Dean

Gloucestershire

Winter Programme 2020

Arboretum day is on the first Thursday of every month - EXCEPT for A COUPLE OF CHANGES!

All tasks are led by FC Ranger or GWT Ranger staff, start at 9.45 am (GWT tasks start at 10 am) and finish around 3pm

Tuesday

7 Jan 20

Edgehills – Heathland restoration

The 'Wilderness' road sign is one of a kind and on the A4136 at the highest point on Plump Hill between Cinderford and Mitcheldean. Drive as high as you can on this road (A4136) and within 100m will be the 'Wilderness' sign, take the unnamed forest track opposite. Continue along forest track for approx. 1 mile to Forest gate and Edgehills nature reserve.

Contact if needed: Kev 07900 050115

Clearing birch from open habitat.

This birch is much more spread apart as it's regen from small trees missed in previous years.

We need to go about it slightly differently to be able to treat it and burn it. Probably, we all move in a fairly linear line sweeping down the reserve so we can find and treat stumps. Then, when all birch is cut and treated, we need to gather it up and walk to some very distant fires.

SO662158

Thursday

9 Jan 20

Arboretum

General maintenance

SO624118

Tuesday

14 Jan 20

Lightmoor open area

(beside the Awres Glow site so same directions as 17th Dec)

Meet at Great Palescot, Middleridge Inclosure (top of Awres Glow)

Go into Mallards Pike car park (SO637088), through the 2 wooden barrier by the café and continue up the forest track past Go Ape.

DO NOT take the right turn between the 2 lakes that we have used in the past. About 300 metres after Go Ape, take the first forest road to the right (SO63630976) and follow this track for about a mile to the top.

Work site here and park along the side of the tracks

Birch cutting and adder hibernacula creation

SO642118

Tuesday

21 Jan 20

Edgehills – Heathland restoration

Contact if needed: Kev 07900 050115

Clearing birch from open habitat.

This birch is much more spread apart as it's regen from small trees missed in previous years.

SO662158

Tuesday

28 Jan 20

Plump Hill Autumn Gentian site and Quarry

Take the A 4136 from Cinderford towards Mitcheldean. Just after the turning for the Wilderness is a layby on the right. Turn right here and take the track to the parking area.

Scrub clearing around the level parts of the quarry to benefit butterflies. Also some raking and litter picking

SO660168

Tuesday

4 Feb 20

Poor's Allotment at Tidenham Chase

Meet: at FC 'The Park' car park on Chepstow to Coleford road (B4228) at Tidenham Chase.

Contact if needed: Kev 07900 050115

Heath Restoration

Birch cut, treat, drag and burn

ST558992

Tuesday

11 Feb 20

Gorsty/Milkwall

Meet in the Darkhill Iron Works car park off the Sling – Fetter Hill road.

Coppicing and scrub clearance for butterflies and reptiles

SO588087

Tuesday

18 Feb 20

Poor's Allotment at Tidenham Chase

Meet: at FC 'The Park' car park on Chepstow to Coleford road (B4228) at Tidenham Chase.

Contact if needed: Kev 07900 050115

Heath Restoration

Birch cut, treat, drag and burn

ST558992

Tuesday

25 Feb 20

Highmeadow Butterfly and Moth sites

From Coleford take the B4228 to Berry Hill. Approx 300metres before the Christchurch/Bracelands campsite crossroads, go left along a track, bear left and enter the wood through a metal Gate at SO 570 125. Follow the main forest road for about ¼ mile and park on the junction of the first left turn.

We will be working along the main forest road.

Scrub clearance for the Drab Looper moth and Wood White butterfly

Note: There maybe timber lorries along the forest road So park away from the main forest road and be aware.

Access

SO570125

Tuesday

3 Mar 20

Parkend Tumps

From Parkend village start up the hill towards Blakeney and take the first proper road on the right (Woodland Road) Follow this road to the top where it becomes a forest track. Continue along the track and park as tight as possible along here by the mast and houses.

Clearing scrub from this once floristically rich site

SO61670827

Tuesday

10 Mar 20

Shakemantle Quarry

Take the Ruspidge Road from Cinderford to Soudley, turning left up Tramway road. Park at the end and in the turning area on the right of the road.

Note : Parking is limited so please share lifts if possible and park VERY carefully!

Scrub clearance from quarry floor to expose rock formations and benefit invertebrates requiring open conditions. Also litter picking

SO651113

Thursday

12 Mar 20

Arboretum

General maintenance

SO624118

Tuesday

17 Mar 20

Mallards Pike Lake

From Parkend take B4431 towards Blakeney, and park in the main Mallards Pike car park

Clearing brash into habitat piles

SO637088

Tuesday

24 Mar 20

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 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!

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)

(Click here to see schedule for Winter early 2019)

2018

(Click here to see schedule for Winter early 2018)

(Click here to see schedule for Early Spring 2018)

(Click here to see schedule for Summer 2018)

(Click here to see schedule for Autumn 2018)