New announcements from Plantlife

News of the latest campaigns from "Plantlife" in the UK. "Whilst there’s still a wintry chill in the air, Spring has arrived and bluebells, cowslips, and cuckooflowers (also known as Milkmaids and Lady’s Smock!) are blossoming on our road verges again. We’ve been reflecting on one of the busiest winter seasons ever for the road verge campaign. It’s fantastic to see so much interest and enthusiasm for more wildlife-friendly road verges and we wanted to share some good news stories with you: Last month Cambridge County Council announced a new verge management plan to support biodiversity, including cutting times sympathetic to the local flora and trials of collecting grass cuttings. It has been great to work with the council teams on this and see them bring their knowledge of the verge network to add to our best practice guidance to create a really promising new plan for Cambridgeshire’s verges. Also in the east of England, East Suffolk Council have announced 60 new wild sites, many of which are road verges, that will be part of the expanded ‘Pardon the weeds, we’re feeding the bees’ campaign which was started last year. And in Essex, following the successful wildlife-friendly management trials last summer, the scheme will be extended throughout Braintree Borough this year. Over in Wales, Monmouthshire County Council are inviting local residents have their say on the management of verge and greenspaces – if you’re local do take part in the survey. And even if you’re not local to the area, you might like to have a look at the Council’s brilliant Nature Isn’t Neat project, which is changing how verges and greenspaces are managed and raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and wild spaces. What’s happening where? Many of you have been in touch to ask what’s being done for road verges in your local area, and we’re keen to celebrate the steps councils are taking to make road verge management more sustainable and wildlife-friendly. So we wanted to share with you our map highlighting the positive progress being made on our verges. We’re hearing about new projects every few weeks – there’s so much great work happening - so don’t worry if you project isn’t yet featured. We’ll be updating the map throughout the year and featuring more case studies and local projects as we go. If you work in a local authority and want to let us know about the wildlife-friendly verge projects you are working on, please do get in touch with us. We’d be delighted to learn about your work and discuss your projects with you." Contact Plantlife at : https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk

News from Somerset Wildlife Trust

"Wilder Churches - a new initiative Wilder Churches is a new partnership initiative between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Bath and Wells that is supporting communities to get to know the wildlife in their local churchyard and work together to find ways to increase the value of these special places for wildlife. Churchyards are often the oldest enclosed piece of land in a parish and many still support a rich variety of wildflowers and wildlife, having remained unscathed from the widespread loss of habitats seen in the wider countryside due to changing land management practices. The Diocese of Bath and Wells oversees 477 parishes of over 900,000 people in the county and they are working with us to bring communities and church leaders together to learn more about their churchyards and how they can manage them with wildlife in mind. Key to the initiative is the ongoing support provided to anyone and everyone interested in being involved. Launched on 24 March 2021, regular, free online training sessions are supporting communities to take positive action at a pivotal time for nature." Here in Curry Rivel we have tried before to agree a more nature friendly treatment of the area round the Church with limited success so now hoping for a little progress>

CWCT meeting of Trustees and members on Wed 7th April

An item of interest is to discuss the management of a small area to be reserved as a meadow. A goverment report on this topic has beeen circulated for comment. GUIDELINES FOR GROWING SEED CROPS TO FEED FARMLAND BIRDS IN WINTER INTRODUCTION These guidelines have been produced using the results of a three-year DEFRA-funded project carried out by the Allerton Research and Educational Trust with the Game Conservancy Trust, which researched the use of seeding crops and other plants by seed-eating birds in winter and also measured seed persistence and depletion rates. Also as part of the project, a large scale survey carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology quantified the value of game crops, wild bird cover on set-aside, and wildlife seed mixtures in the pilot Arable Stewardship scheme. Information from other trials has also been drawn on where relevant. The work showed that growing crops to feed seed-eating birds over winter can be a valuable way of providing food for these species which can otherwise be scarce on modern farmland. It is thought that lack of food during winter may be an important factor in the decline of seed-eating farmland birds. The crops were also used by predominantly insectivorous birds such as thrushes and the dunnock, and by gamebirds. For these species, the provision of cover and favourable conditions for invertebrates may also be important.

CWCT management

Relavant to a small part of our new woodland may be this extract from a report produced by the Government. GUIDELINES FOR GROWING SEED CROPS TO FEED FARMLAND BIRDS IN WINTER INTRODUCTION These guidelines have been produced using the results of a three-year DEFRA-funded project carried out by the Allerton Research and Educational Trust with the Game Conservancy Trust, which researched the use of seeding crops and other plants by seed-eating birds in winter and also measured seed persistence and depletion rates. Also as part of the project, a large scale survey carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology quantified the value of game crops, wild bird cover on set-aside, and wildlife seed mixtures in the pilot Arable Stewardship scheme. Information from other trials has also been drawn on where relevant. The work showed that growing crops to feed seed-eating birds over winter can be a valuable way of providing food for these species which can otherwise be scarce on modern farmland. It is thought that lack of food during winter may be an important factor in the decline of seed-eating farmland birds. The crops were also used by predominantly insectivorous birds such as thrushes and the dunnock, and by gamebirds. For these species, the provision of cover and favourable conditions for invertebrates may also be important.

Latest news: Curry Woods Conservation Trust contact us at cwctrust@aol.com Lock down - again! Unfortunately plans for a second major planting session have had to be put on hold. We were particularly looking forward to a group of 30 from the school, led by Outdoors Coordinator Emily Langford, coming to plant on January 14 th. However, to our delight the school group was able to help us plant the last trees for this season on Wednesday 17th March. The children were very excited to be doing something different and they were quick to understand what they needed to do to plant the trees correctly. Peter Goodenough demonstrated a planting for them before they got started and talked to them about how important trees are for all of us, but particularly for their generation, who will have to deal with climate change in the future. He told them that the school has been flooded twice in the last 10 years, with water flowing down Water Street from the fields on the ridge. Our trees will help to hold water in the future and prevent future flooding. We were all impresed with the children's knowledge of environmental matters, which we understand they are being taught about in school. Chidren, staff and CWCT volunteers alike all had a really good afternoon and hope to be able to repeat the experience in the autumn when there will be more trees to plant. We hope the school will also use the Trust land for other environmental topics now they know how easy it is to get groups from the school to the woodland. It appears some people are not sure where the CWCT land is! Starting from in front of the church, walk away from the green and turn sharp left up Butt Lane. At the top, where Butt Lane meets Dyers Road, carry on straight over into the unnamed lane going north. (It is actually Hellards Hill Lane but isn't marked.) Follow the lane round two bends, first to right and next to left. Carry on on the next bend to the right, but don't turn, instead walk straight ahead into the CWCT land. You can't miss it now as the 200 trees already planted are very obvious in their green guards! It's a nice walk from the green ,taking 15-20 minutes and can be made into a circular walk if you carry on down the lane and take the footpath to your right before the house at the end of the lane. That brings you out to Dyers Road, cross over and keep straight on back to the green! As tree planting is finished for the season we must again thank the organisations that have given us grants for trees and shrubs and also the stakes and guards to protect them.Our first grant for 400 trees and shrubs involved three organisations- Reimagining the Levels (www.reimaginingthelevels.org.uk,) obtained a grant from the Somerset Rivers Authority (sra@somerset.gov.uk) on our behalf and used the money to procured the plants from the Woodland Trust (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk). RtL themselves provided the guards and stakes for them. This protection is essential as there are many roe deer in the area that will be very happy to nibble young trees given the chance! These organisations will provide a further 400 plants under the same grant during next winter. One Planet Matters (www.oneplanetmatters.com)has donated 100 trees and 50 tree guards/stakes to the project. They have supplied species that are naturally found in the south west to cut out the danger of introducing disease and the trees are well suited to our ground. The Trust is very grateful to these organisations, as it is to all those who have helped with planting recently and those detailed on the "Thanks" page, without whom we would not have been able to purchase the land. Registered charity number 1190031 If you would like to become a member of the Trust and be able to attend meetings and have your say please contact the Secretary by email to cwctrust@aol.com.

Do one thing!

I think this should be our local group motto!

Annual report to members of the Heart of the Levels Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust

This post shows my report to our local members. We gave ourselves 15 minutes for this annual report which was followed by a talk by James Williams on Otters. There was an audience of about 45 people who were I'm sure more interested in Otters than my report!

Just to start with some photos of local wildlife The Brimstone is by Steve Dyer. The others were seen in my garden.



Heart of the Levels Group of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
Chairman’s report
13.09.07

Welcome from the Heart of the Levels Group.
In this brief reporting session I will:

1. Highlight some of the successful events of the last year or so.
2. Talk a little about the work of the committee and its members.
3. Explain how we relate to our parent Somerset Wildlife Trust
4. Report on our finances.
5. Look forward over the next 12 months.

1) May 19th 2006 was our inaugural meeting.
Since then we have had a range of open meetings like this one and in addition we have organised guided visits to local nature reserves. We are pleased with the response from members who have supported all these events.

There have been many highlights but standing out must be:

23.07.06 Butterfly Group guided walk in MOD area in Breach Wood, High Ham.

28.09.06 Talk by Bill Butcher from SERC on climate change.

22.10.06 Fungi Foray in Beer Wood to find and identify over 100 varieties.

9.11.06 Talk by Dr Mike Parr on Dragonflies (followed in 2007 by a guided walk at Muchelney Lakes).

14.04.07 Guided visit to West Sedgemoor RSPB reserve.

7.06.07 Garden Party held in Curry Rivel for social occasion.

23.06.07 Guided visit to Green Down to see Large Blue butterfly on the wing and laying eggs on Thyme plants.

14.07 07 Open meeting with MP David Heath as part of Somerton Festival.

11.08/07 National Moth Night to find and identify moths in the MOD woods at High Ham. The nights catch being inspected next morning at start of Butterfly walk.

Anyone wanting to read more about our activities will find a lot of information on our web site.


2) The committee, without whom we would not be here tonight, has given their support and active involvement which is most appreciated. We have all being getting involved in things for the first time and learning as we go and that will continue into 2008. A special word of thanks to Margaret Chambers who is moving back into teaching full time and has had to stand down from the committee. Margaret has taken on the job of arranging talks and events for the last 18 months. Teaching and our young people will benefit greatly from her dedication and enthusiasm. Margaret Murray has got to grips with looking after our finances and is doing a good job in keeping us in order. Margaret Somerville had to stand down earlier in the year due to family commitments.
So the running of this group for the benefit of local members will be much easier if we can attract 2 or 3 new committee members. We tend to have committee meetings every 2 months to agree on future activities within our resources.


3) A brief word about our relationship with SWT. We are one of 9 such local groups. We are largely left to do our own thing but guided by a document produced a year or so ago by the Trustees of the Trust which outlines matters such as reporting our finances each year to the Trust.
It seems to work quite well and is designed to ensure we all support the overall aims and objectives of the Trust and assist them in meeting their obligations to the Charity Commission.

4) Finances are not complex for our small group and Margaret Murray, our Treasurer, has produced a statement which is available for your inspection. It shows how we reported to the Trust in March this year. We started with a grant from the Trust in 2006 of £100 and we have now a balance in our account of £467.86. This has been raised through sponsored walks, a garden party and various donations given for instance at meetings. There is also a statement available of the petty cash account for your inspection. If anyone has any questions about our finances I would appreciate dealing with it over coffee later so as not to delay our guest speaker.

5) The future.
Keeping it simple.

• We hope to be still functioning and reporting back to you again in 12 months time. Our basic aim for the next 12 months will I hope be to organise 6 meetings in 2008
• In Feb, March and April and then in Sept, Oct and Nov, with additional visits to reserves during the summer months.
• I see our priorities as a local group to be getting better at communicating with local members so as to make sure we are putting on talks and events which you find interesting.
• Getting to know our local reserves and letting people know what they can expect to see if they make a visit. I think the BBC Breathing Spaces programmes and Spring Watch are very informative and hopefully help to stimulate interest in local wildlife.
• Finally we should be ready to respond to wildlife related matters put to us by members and we welcome everyone’s involvement in that respect.

*********************************************************************
Contact detail.

Committee: David German Chairman, Margaret Murray Treasurer, Eve Kerswill PR, Terry Foster Minutes Secretary, Bill Murray, Hilary Howell. We have vacancies!

We are also fortunate in having a local council member of the Somerset Wildlife Trust in our area, Dudley Cheesman, who also is Chairman of Butterfly Conservation,a UK national charity, who attends our committee meetings from time to time and is able to give us good advice.

Telephone: David German : email: levelswildlife@btinternet.com
Web site (also known as a blog): http:// heartofthelevels.blogspot.com

Details of the SWT and other specialist groups are in the Trusts magazine.

More photos from Chris Chapell

Earth Hour

WWF sent me this email! Earth Hour is tonight David, and it’s not too late to get involved! 2021 is the start of an important decade for climate and nature action. This year, leaders from across the world will make decisions that will impact our futures. Tonight, you can be part of a global movement to show that you care about the future of our planet, and it all starts with a single switch. Will you be joining us tonight at 8:30 – 9:30pm for the switch off? Remember to check out the Facebook event for more details.

Together, we can help make it normal to live sustainably and support action to protect our planet. Eating a more planet-friendly diet, switching to renewable energy, talking about climate change, sharing tips with friends, organising as a community, calling for change from businesses and politicians – it all adds up. 

Will you join the movement this Earth Hour?

Campaigning by Wildlife Trust

Somerset Wildlife Trust and all other County Wildlife Trust have joined with other wildlife groups to persuade the government to protect nature. This statement is to ask all our 20 000 plus members in Somerset to join the appeal.

Contact us at:  campaigning@wildlifetrusts.org

"For more than a century we have been saving wildlife and wild places, increasing people’s awareness and understanding of the natural world, and deepening people’s relationship with it.

We work on land and sea, from mountain tops to the seabed, from hidden valleys and coves to city streets.  Wherever you are, Wildlife Trust people, places and projects are never far away, improving life for wildlife and people together, within communities of which we are a part.

We look after more than 2,300 nature reserves, covering 98,500 hectares, and operate more than 100 visitor and education centres in every part of the UK, on Alderney and the Isle of Man.

By working in partnership we can have a bigger impact for wildlife. Across the UK we work closely with schools, colleges and universities, with hundreds of farmers and landowners, fishermen and divers; with thousands of companies, big and small;  with community groups and other environmental organisations;  with lotteries, charitable trusts and foundations;  with politicians from across the political spectrum;  with local and national governments;  and more."

campaigning@wildlifetrusts.org