CommunityAd heard from Nikky, the volunteer Sandwich Tree Warden, who gave us an update on changes in the local area.
Monks Wall Nature Reserve has a new stretch of hedgerow!
A new native hedgerow is being created at Monks Wall Nature Reserve with the aim of improving biodiversity and introducing the huge benefits to wildlife that hedgerows provide.
The first stretch was planted on Saturday 4th December and we have to say a ‘MASSIVE WELL DONE guys you are AWESOME!’ to the volunteers who were involved.
Ken Chapman, the Monks Wall Warden and myself as Voluntary Tree Warden (VTW), affiliated with the registered charity the Tree Council, have been working together to plan and coordinate the project.
It was a delight to welcome the girls and boys from 7th Deal (Sandwich) Scout Group to the Reserve during National Tree Week. This couldn’t have happened without the support of Anne and Mark their leaders who organised their attendance. They and other Volunteers of all ages planted approximately 250 native hedge and standard trees hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dogwood, rowan, hornbeam, wild cherry, silver birch, crab apple, elder, and oak.
To kick off the morning we discussed the huge benefits of hedges to the environment and nature. The kids worked incredibly hard in small teams with adult support… big thanks Tree Champions!
A FANTASTIC achievement which will enhance the biodiversity at MWNR as the hedge becomes established in future years. We all felt very PROUD and there were lots of smiles at the end of the morning’s work. It is incredibly satisfying planting hedges and trees. It was especially heart-warming to see young people showing such a strong interest in wildlife and nature. All involved say they want to come back again! How pleasing.
There will be more tree planting opportunities this year. Another stretch of hedgerow has been identified at the Reserve and a successful application made for more trees.
If you would like to be involved in the next stage of this native hedge planting project, get in touch via Sandwich Voluntary Tree Warden Facebook page or drop an email. Next up over the next two months is mulching the recently planted trees and ground work preparation and planting more whips this year.
Enabling this project is part of my role as a VTW. The network of VTWs across the country become involved in all sorts of projects and initiatives focused on trees. Whether you want to get your hands in the earth and plant trees, raise awareness about trees in your local community, or simply be the eyes, ears and voice for the trees down your street, you have what it takes to be a Tree Warden.
Here’s another opportunity!
My Tree Council Coordinator and I like the idea of training a second volunteer tree warden for Sandwich. It would be great to work with a colleague especially as I have restricted health which limits the tasks and initiatives I can achieve. Working together with another trained VTW would mean we could accomplish more!
To find out more about becoming a VTW do get in touch, email: [email protected].
Nikky, Volunteer Tree Warden