Working with nature in local reserve

Published on 21 October 2011

To celebrate Epping Forest Countycare’s 25th anniversary a “Try Your Hand” event was held at Chigwell Row Wood Local Nature Reserve.

The day was aimed at improving interest and knowledge of practical conservation work on the districts nine local nature reserves, of which, Chigwell Row Wood LNR is the largest area of ancient and secondary woodland.

A small but enthusiastic group of volunteers took part in the mornings tasks which consisted of clearing invasive sycamore from around some veteran oak and newly created hornbeam pollards.

Sycamore is a vigorous fast growing deciduous tree which can dominate areas of woodland at the expense of other plants and as such this clearance work will help to promote wild flowers in the now open glade in the north west corner of the wood and showcase these magnificent veteran oak trees.

Although sycamore has a value to wildlife with the aphids that are supported by the tree providing food for birds and dormice further management will be necessary to control distribution of sycamore throughout the site as to not adversely affect the diversity of the woodland.

Volunteers had the opportunity to strap on their waders and get a little wet pulling out debris and rubbish from the pond.

The work carried by the volunteers and staff is the first step in a 5 year management plan to bring the pond back to a state where it will promote a wider diversity of insects, birds and flora in and around the pond.