Volunteering

EVER THOUGHT OF VOLUNTEERING?

LOOKING FOR A PLACEMENT OR WORK EXPERIENCE?

Rain or shine, volunteers and placements play a vital part in helping the Countryside Unit bring about its joint objectives of conserving the rich variety of wildlife and countryside in and around Shrewsbury and providing greater opportunities for people to enjoy and appreciate the countryside through quiet recreation.

Volunteering with the Countryside Unit offers an opportunity to learn new skills, meet other people who enjoy helping to protect Shrewsbury’s countryside, as well as discover some of the finest locations in Shrewsbury.

Practical work planned for the various sites managed by the Unit over the next few months is detailed below. If you would like to join us on any of these projects, or have any other questions about volunteering, please contact the team at the Countryside Unit on 01743 359199.

WHY NOT JOIN US?

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Community Woodlands

	Cutting back the paths around the sites to keep them accessible.
	Replace trees that have died over the summer at the Community Woodland sites where planting has already begun or even been completed. This ‘beating up’ is carried out for the first five years after each planting to make sure there are enough trees in each woodland.
	Ensure tree spirals and mulch mats are all in place.

Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve

A patchwork of ancient meadows, pasture and woodland stretching from Shrewsbury Abbey to Meole Brace along the Rea Brook.

	Cutting back field margins.
	Weeding and maintenance work on sections of newly planted hedge.
	Path surfacing work to improve access for people in particularly wet and muddy areas.

Old Shrewsbury Canal Countryside Heritage Site

The Shrewsbury to Newport Canal was last navigated in 1941. Several sections have been dredged to recreate wetland habitat. A footpath/cycleway runs along the old towpath.

	Coppice an outgrown section of hawthorn hedge and plant up gaps to restore the hedge line.
	Trimming sections of hedge laid in previous years to encourage bushy growth at the base of the hedge.
	Scrub management work around wet sections of canal to increase light levels and promote growth of water plants.
	Thinning work in an old Council tree nursery to help it develop as an extension of Pimley Community Woodland.

Old River Bed Site of Special Scientific Interest

Formed around six thousand years ago from a cut off loop of the River Severn, the area is now a type of wetland called fen and is home to some unusual plants and animals. Traditional grazing management has been reintroduced to the fen.

Repairs to perimeter fencing and some felling work to create a bund next to the fence. As well as forming a barrier this provides excellent foraging and nesting habitat for many birds.

Copthorne Park Countryside Heritage Site

An area of grassland, trees and pools. The pools are part of a series of depressions, or meres, formed by large blocks of ice sinking into the ground at the end of the last Ice Age and subsequently melting. The management at this site aims to reduce water loss from the existing, damp area and restore a dried up pond at the south-eastern end of the park.

	Surfacing more sections of the paths with wood chips to make the site more accessible to more people and stop the muddy path getting wider and wider.
	Copping a section of crack willows to reduce water uptake from the mere and increase light fall to the water (to aid the growth of oxygenating plants).

Poplar Island Countryside Heritage Site

An ancient river side water meadow including the remains of a medieval barge gutter.

Work to maintain and enhance the meadow habitat.

Doctor's Field Countryside Heritage Site

An area of grassland and scrub patches running down to the River Severn supporting a wide variety of plants and butterflies.

	Scrub cutting work to reduce the area covered by brambles and blackthorn and create some structural diversity within the scrub.
	Work to maintain and enhance the meadow habitat.

Belvidere Paddocks Countryside Heritage Site

A narrow strip of scrub, grassland and woodland along the bank of the River Severn. Also part of the Severn Way long distance footpath.

	Felling work to create gaps in areas of scrub vegetation to prevent the establishment of woodland and the loss of the tall herb and scrub habitat.
	Coppicing some of the willows along the bank of the river. Some of this is for safety reasons and it will also reduce shading along the bank and encourage plants to grow.

Merrington Green

An ancient common, unmanaged for many years. The Unit is working with the local community to restore grazing to the common, restore ponds on the site and reduce the area covered by scrub.

	Scrub cutting work will help keep a balance between open grassy areas and scrub patches. Both are good wildlife habitat.
	Work to maintain and enhance the meadow habitat.

Beck’s Field Countryside Heritage Site

A steep pasture alongside the River Severn right in the centre of Shrewsbury. The river terraces are a mix of woodland and ancient, grazed pasture which support a vast diversity of life.

	Scrub cutting and clearance work to keep a balance between grassland and scrub areas, and to restore the fabulous view over the town from the top of the slope.
	Work to maintain and enhance the meadow habitat.

Ongoing work….

In addition to these specific projects, the Unit removes litter on a regular basis from all the sites it manages, those above plus Burr’s Field, Springfield Mere, Hereford Road Wildlife Site, Shelton Fields and Monkmoor River Ground. We also carry out any repairs that might arise through wear and tear or vandalism.

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So…

If you would be interested in getting out and joining us as a volunteer or would like to know more about a particular project contact the Countryside Unit.

Working for people and wildlife in Shrewsbury’s countryside

Telephone 01743 359199 E-Mail countryside@shrewsbury.gov.uk