Category Archives: Conservation

One Big Thing for Nature

Conservation
Chris Packham at Fleet Pond
Chris Packham at Fleet Pond

 

Fleet Pond Society patron, Chris Packham, makes an eloquent plea for individuals to take action, following the recent State of Nature report, in a guest blog post for the RSPB.

One Big Thing for Nature: guest blog post from Chris Packham

Sir David Attenborough launched the State of Nature report at the Natural History Museum, London on 22nd May 2013. The report was compiled by 25 wildlife organisations, working alongside scientists, to produce a stock take of Britain’s nature. It revealed that 60% of the species studied have declined in the past 50 years.

The full State of Nature report can be found here.

Sunday Volunteer Task – 9 June

Conservation

Colin Gray writes:

“The task for Sunday is a mobile one. Some work is needed at Boathouse Corner – fitting retaining timbers in preparation for a levelling off of the area by the History Board.

There is a pile of hoggin up in the car park which we will use to fill potholes and sunken stretches of the footpath network. The footpath repairs will involve shovelling hoggin, levelling it off and tamping it down.

The forecast is good so remember to bring your sun cream!”

Please meet at the Countryside Workshop to leave at 9.15 a.m. or follow the signposted directions from there if you come a little later.

For more information, please contact the Task Co-ordinator, Colin Gray, as follows:

Colin Gray, 14 Kenilworth Road, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 3DA

Tel: 01252 616183
E-mail: colin.gray@talktalk.net

Further details of the Sunday volunteer events can be found here.

All new volunteers are very welcome!

Fleet Pond Wildlife Open Day A Sunny Success

Conservation, Education, People
Dipping Platform Opening Ceremony
Dipping Platform Opening Ceremony

Cathy Holden writes:

The sun beamed down on the Fleet Pond Wildlife Open Day as families enjoyed the multitude of activities and walks on offer. These ranged from guided insect walks, to demonstrations of chainsaw artwork – with the chance to part-take of delicious refreshments provided by Odiham Scouts.

Fleet Pond Fish
Fleet Pond Fish

The new dipping platform, sponsored by the Fleet Townswomen’s Guild, and built by volunteers from the Fleet Pond Society was a roaring success.  The platform was officially opened by ladies from the Guild, and for the rest of the day there was a constant stream of adults and children dipping the provided nets into the waters of The Flash.

Dipping Platform in use
Dipping Platform in use

Congratulations to Fleet Pond Ranger, Louise Greenwood, and her colleagues at Hart Countryside Services for organising such a great day – including the weather!

Photo credits: Cathy Holden

Sunday Volunteer Task – 10 February 2013

Conservation, Volunteering

Colin Gray writes:

“We will be joined by the 29th Odiham Scouts and the 7th Fleet Guides this Sunday, so it could be a busy morning!  There are two tasks in need of attention and we might decide to break the session into two teams.

On Coldstream Marsh there remains a block of scrub to clear on the bank along the new diversion channel. Up on the Dry Heath there is more birch to clear. Both will probably need waterproof boots in view of recent rains and high water table and on Coldstream it might be best to  wear wellies.

We will assemble as usual at the Countryside Workshop at 9.15 a.m. and head off for Coldstream Marsh. Once at the gate we can  decide who wishes to tackle the Coldstream Marsh task and who would prefer to walk on to the Dry Heath.”

Further details of meeting arrangements and related information can be found here, including the Sunday programme schedule up to June 2013.

Tree Removal Prior To The Dipping Platform

Conservation

2013-02-05_12-19-20 Trees Pond Dipping sm

Louise Greenwood, Fleet Pond Countryside Ranger, passes on the following useful information:

“Hart Countryside Rangers are currently helping contractors remove some hazard trees by the Flash (the area near the station car park). Two of the trees were dead and one had a large fault so would fall on the new pond dipping platform that Fleet Pond Society are putting in over the next couple of weeks. Removing the trees will also allow lots more light into the pond.”

Photo credit: Steve Lyons.