Dean Green Team

Wildlife Conservation Group in the

Forest of Dean

Gloucestershire

Autumn Programme 2023

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 the normal the time of 9.45 am, but surveys start at 2pm!!*

Arboretum day is on the first Thursday of every month - contact Nina Elvin kristina.elvin@forestryengland.uk

Clearwell Meend day is on the second Thursday of every month - contact Tamsin Sagar tamsin.sagar@forestryengland.uk

The Water Project day is on the third Thursday of every month - contact Stewart Cooper stewart.cooper@forestryengland.uk

Tuesday

29 Aug 23

Clanna Woods

SO 583 022

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

5 Sep 23

10.00 am

The Park GWT Nature Reserve

ST 558 992

Tidenham Chase car park

Cutting small birch and refuge/habitat pile making of arisings to increase reptile cover across the reserve.

Tuesday

12 Sep 23

Parkend

SO 6196 0808

Go over the railway tracks as if driving out of Parkend and up towards the school. The entrance is on the left just after a wooden bench and below the Castlemain depot.

Vegetation clearance around pond. Building woody debris dams.

Tuesday

19 Sep 23

Linear Park

SO 6462 1262

Parking in Sammies Wood. When leaving Cinderford and heading towards the crematorium/Speech House it is the first barrier entranceway on the right after Linear Park/Ruspidge Halt.

Bring wellies and/or trowel dependent upon what job you would like to do.

Adding woody debris to the watercourse and/or plug planting

Thursday

21 Sep 23

10am - 13pm

Clearwell Meend

There are various laybys around the Meend where you can park

Pond clearance to cut the willow back and dig/ pull some of the yellow flags.

Bring wellies! Gloves and any loppers, bowsaws or pruning saws

Tuesday

26 Sep 23

10.00 am

The Park GWT Nature Reserve

ST 558 992

Tidenham Chase car park

Cutting small birch and refuge/habitat pile making of arisings to increase reptile cover across the reserve.

Tuesday

3 Oct 23

10.00 am

Woorgreen GWT Nature Reserve

SO625128

Meet at FE metal pole barrier past Kensley Lodge

Cutting small birch and refuge/habitat pile making of arisings to increase reptile cover or appropriate bonfire sites if brash is excessive. Cattle are on site and may show an interest which we will cover in the risk assessment. Gorse and Brambles likely intermixed with birch

Tuesday

10 Oct 23

Oakenhill

SO 6289 0818

When driving out of Parkend towards Yorkley, go past the school and it will be the second barrier entrance on the right.

Clearing scrub, adding woody debris to watercourse

Thursday

12 Oct 23

10am - 13pm

Clearwell Meend

SO580081

There are various laybys around the Meend where you can park

Pond clearance to cut the willow back and dig/ pull some of the yellow flags.

Bring wellies! Gloves and any loppers, bowsaws or pruning saws

Tuesday

17 Oct 23

10.00 am

Woorgreen GWT Nature Reserve

SO625128

Meet at FE metal pole barrier past Kensley Lodge

Thursday

19 Oct 23

Perry Hay Brook

Spruce Ride car park meeting point
SO 6209 1187

Meet at the car park at the back of the Arboretum, we will drive through the woods from here so please be there for 9.45 to enable us to all go in convoy.

This sessions job will Adder habitat creation.

Wear wellies!

Tuesday

24 Oct 23

East Wood

SO 55918 00290

On the B4228 between Hewelsfield and Tidenham. On the left-hand side coming from the Coleford direction before the last bend leading to Tidenham Chase car park..

Scrub clearance to expose the limestone pavement

Tuesday

31 Oct 23

10.00 am

Edgehills GWT Reserve

SO662158

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.

Cutting small birch and refuge/habitat pile making of arisings to increase reptile cover or appropriate bonfire sites if brash is excessive. Cattle may be on site and may show an interest which we will cover in the risk assessment. Birch trees fairly infrequent so may require wide spread of team and bonfires less worthwhile.

Tuesday

7 Nov 23

Flaxley Woods

SO 6771 1595

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

Coppicing - Bowsaws and loppers

Thursday

9 Nov 23

10am - 13pm

Clearwell Meend

Park at the top of Clearwell Cave's car park

Raking the cut vegetation to prevent the grassland from becoming too rich as wild flowers thrive on poor soils.

Tuesday

14 Nov 23

10.00 am

Edgehills GWT Reserve

SO662158

Thursday

16 Nov 23

Perry Hay Brook

Water Project

Spruce Ride car park meeting point
SO 6209 1187

Meet at the car park at the back of the Arboretum, we will drive through the woods from here so please be there for 9.45 to enable us to all go in convoy.

This sessions job will Adder habitat creation.

Wear wellies!

Tuesday

21 Nov 23

Linear Park

SO 6462 1262

Park in Linear Park car park.

Scrub clearance.Loppers and bowsaws

Tuesday

28 Nov 23

10.00 am

Wigpool GWT Nature Reserve

SO625128

From Mitcheldean drive up 'The Stenders' road, after 0.5 mile take right to 'Wigpool' continue to crossroad looking junction and GWT truck.

Cutting small birch and pine with bonfire sites where appropriate. Cattle may be on site and may show an interest which we will cover in the risk assessment. Some larger pine trees may require staff to fell and vols to help clear the task.

Tuesday

5 Dec 23

Lightmoor/Awres Glow

SO 6362 0926

Meet at FE Mallards Pike car park, we will drive through the woods from here for quite a way so please be there for 9.45 to enable us to all go in convoy.

Coppicing and making reptile refugia. Loppers and bowsaws.

Tuesday

12 Dec 23

10.00 am

Wigpool GWT Nature Reserve

SO625128

From Mitcheldean drive up 'The Stenders' road, after 0.5 mile take right to 'Wigpool' continue to crossroad looking junction and GWT truck.

Thursday

14 Dec 23

10am - 13pm

Clearwell Meend

Park at the top of Clearwell Cave's car park

Pond clearance

Tuesday

19 Dec 23

Plumphill and Christmas Thank You!

SO 6598 1686

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.

Christmas thank you event will be at the Oakraven Field Study Centre which is in the old Abenhall Village School and we will go there at 12.30

Scrub clearance. Loppers and bowsaws.

Thursday

21 Dec 23

Perry Hay Brook

Water Project

Spruce Ride car park meeting point
SO 6209 1187

Meet at the car park at the back of the Arboretum, we will drive through the woods from here so please be there for 9.45 to enable us to all go in convoy.

We are meeting with our Forest Waters Contractors to begin re-sectioning Blackpool Brook in the third stage of the project

Wear wellies!

Tuesday

9 Jan 24

Gorsty Knoll

SO 5883 0858

Park at Darkhill Iron Works off the Sling - Fetter Hill road.

Scrub clearance to create reptile habitat.

All tasks are led by FC Ranger start at 9.45 am or GWT Ranger start at 10.00 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!

2023

(Click here to see schedule for Summer 2023)

(Click here to see schedule for Winter 2022 - 2023)

(Click here to see schedule for Spring 2023)

2022

(Click here to see schedule for Autumn 2022)

(Click here to see schedule for Summer 2022)

(Click here to see schedule for Spring 2022)

(Click here to see schedule for Winter 2021 - 2022)

2021

(Click here to see schedule for Autumn 2021)