FOAP and other Events and Conservation Sessions in Allestree Park in 2011 - 2012
Conservation work parties for winter 2012:
We have only one scheduled work party remaining , but watch this space for more that will be arranged.
Events occuring over the last year, with comments on how they went (in red):
Sat. 22nd January 2011
Path-lining, continued
Path-lining in Big Wood – continuation of the work to line some of the major paths through the wood with logs – working with Derbyshire Conservation Volunteers.
Again the session went very well. We have probably completed about three-quarters of the path going from the main path to Woodlands Lane. The weather was very pleasant for January.
Sunday 20th Feb
Tree-planting and Path-lining
Continuation of the above work, plus the planting of 150 small trees at a site near Woodlands Lane car park.
Another successful session - the last one until this coming autumn. All the young trees were planted, each furnished with a plastic rabbit guard*. The path lining of the side path to Woodlands Lane is now about three-quarters completed. It will, however, serve to protect most of the bluebells in this part of Big Wood.
*ALAS, DURING THE SUMMER ALMOST ALL OF THE YOUNG TREES WERE DESTROYED BY VANDALS
please let us know if you have any knowledge of who might have carried out this mindless act!
Saturday 4th June 2011
Pond Dipping in Allestree Park
Members of the public joined Pat Sear and members of the Friends of Allestree Park at the Turtle Pond in front of Allestree Hall to discover the joys of pond dipping by hunting for pond creatures. There was also lots of information about ponds to look at.
Support and equipment was provided by Derby City Pond Warden Association.
This event very well and the weather was perfect. See a full and illustrated account in the Nature Diary
Wednesday 15th June 2011
Local Nature Reserve Walk-round
Did you know that most of Allestree Park, apart from the golf course and the area around the Hall, is a designated Local Nature Reserve?
Members of FOAP and the general public were invited to join the members of the Friends of Allestree Park committee and relevant officers of Derby City Council for a walk around the reserve to see what conservation work has been carried out, what needs to be done and any problems connected with the Park’s management. This was a chance to ask questions and have your say.
The meeting was well attended and went very well. A full account will be available soon.
Saturday 25th June
Insect Walk in Allestree Park
People were invited to join Bill Grange and members of the Friends of Allestree Park in a gentle 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) stroll through Allestree Park. On the way there was an opportunity to use a variety of techniques to capture a sample of the fascinating insect life of the Park, while not ignoring other forms of wildlife.
Sunday 3rd July
Himalayan Balsam Pull in Big Wood
Ten people turned up on a gloriously sunny and warm morning. Quite an area of balsam was cleared - with us taking care not to disturb too much the stands of the locally rare climbing corydalis which is particularly abundant in this part of the wood. There still remains substantial amounts of the invasive balasam, however.
Wild Derby Big Day Out at Allestree Park,
This was run by Derby City Council's Wild Derby Project and Groundwork. It was open to Children up to 12 years with parents and carers are invited to take part. The event was limited to 50 children. They all turned up in spite of the wind and rain and all enjoyed themselves.
Sunday 14th August
A Nature Walk in the Park
About 12 people joined Bill Grange on a glorious morning on a leisurely walk from the main car park down to the Lake to search for a wide variety of wildlife from plants to insects and birds. There was also some discussion about how the various species behave and interact & we looked at some conservation aspects of the Park.
Tuesday 25th October
Celebrating the Great Trees: Join the Friends and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in a family Event at Allestree Park to learn about the Park's oldest trees.
This went very well, helped by some glorious warm and sunny weather! About 30 children joined our two walks to experience some of the old trees of the park, including some fun-filled games, and hunt for some of the fascinating insects abd other tiny creatures hiding in the foliage and under logs. Among many species, there were lots of hawthorn shield-bugs, noteworthy for their extaordinary smell they produce! Many more children and adults dropped by the gazebo to do some artwork related to trees - and to search through some leaf litter for yet more small creatures.
Wednesday 9th November
Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Allestree Park
See the minutes of this meeting by clicking on the 'News' tab on the home page.
30th October: Cutting back sycamore and rhododendron re-growth, following felling of these invasive trees in 2009 - at the newly planted site at the north end of Big Wood. Working with Derbyshire Conservation Volunteers
We found that there was much less re-growth of sycamore than we thought. Therefore, much of the timne was spent in ring-barking some more of the standing sycamores. This involved taking out a 6inch (16 c.m.) ring of bark from the trunk - leading to the death of the tree. We noticed that many of the trees we treated like this last year are already dead or dying!
13th November: Creating new loop side path, on route of new nature trail in Big Wood: It involves defining the path with logs collected on-site. Working Derbyshire Conservation Volunteers
11th December: Continuation of above task
Both session resulted in well over half of the new path being lined. The next session on 15th January should see its completion.
23rd November (Wednesday) at 7pm:
Allestree Park Local Nature Reserve Management Meeting- held at Portway School
Everyone was invited to join members of the Friends of Allestree Park committee and officers of Derby City Council Parks Dept. and Wild Derby to hear about what conservation work has been carried ou in the Park, what needs to be done and any problems connected with the Park’s management. Itwas a chance for people to ask questions and have their say. The meeting was well attended and was very productive.
See a full account under 'News'. click on the tab at the top of the home page.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
