COME ALONG AND JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT TASK…. RESTORATION OF HEATHLAND
SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2017 MEET IN BRUSHES CLOUGH CAR PARK AT 10:30 AM
The task will be to remove birch saplings, from within the heather, in the Brushes Clough spoil heap area.
The spoil heaps, and quarry area, are an important habitat known as lowland heath, which forms an open landscape. It’s characterised by the presence of dwarf-shrubs of heather, bilberry, and various mosses and lichens. It’s a priority for nature conservation, because it is an internationally rare and threatened habitat.
How is it threatened?
Heathland was originally a man-made habitat, created through the grazing of animals; regular cutting of birch for fuel, and bracken for animal bedding. Historically, these activities maintained the open nature of heathlands, and prevented them from developing into woodland. Without management, the trees will eventually return and the heathland will be lost.
Why is it important?
The range of conditions associated with lowland heath supports an extraordinarily rich variety of wildlife; one of which includes a staggering 5,000 species of invertebrates, making it an important habitat for a variety of birds.
What can we do to help?
We need to reduce the number of birch saplings to allow the dwarf-shrubs of heather, bilberry, mosses and lichen to survive.
This is also an opportunity to have a go with a ‘Tree Popper’; a great tool which lifts the trees out of the ground with little disturbance to the vegetation around it. This really does make it much easier to remove the trees. Easy to use and no digging necessary!!
Clothing to suit the weather conditions, and sturdy boots for the uneven ground, are advised.
For further information please contact: Marian Herod – Secretary, Friends of Crompton Moor
Tel: 07792 156295
Email: cromptonmoor@gmail.com
