Green 2014: West Hendon Playing Fields with TCV

Continuing on from the previous post, I also returned this week to TCV's Barnet Green Gym project. I stepped in to provide cover for the volunteering session on Wednesday 8th January, as an experienced volunteer leader with first aid training, but this also helped me to contribute to my New Year's resolution for 2014 of continuing to volunteer in nature conservation. It was fantastic to reunite with the volunteer team there, and I always enjoy seeing the site at West Hendon Playing Fields as it is a large green space with so much potential for wildlife. The weather was also ideal for some outdoor work, remaining clear and dry for the session (unlike the previous day!).

Volunteers at the Barnet Green Gym enjoy the fine weather and make a difference for wildlife!

This was the first Green Gym session back at the site after Christmas and New Year, and the volunteers and leaders stood amazed upon their arrival as the recent volumes of rainfall had turned part of the Playing Fields into a lake. Luckily there was enough room to squeeze past the flooding and safely make our way to the tool shed. The task for the day was to prepare the fence-line beside the bowling green for planting of a native species hedgerow; this involved weeding and clearing dead vegetation from the area, and then digging and turning the soil. There were a few saplings hidden away in the vegetation that can form part of the new hedgerow, so this was a very positive result. The team managed to clear and prepare over 60 metres of hedgerow too which was an excellent achievement! Once this area has been planted up with native saplings, it will form a natural barrier that can be used by wildlife for food and shelter. Hedges can also allow some of the more shy species of animal to travel across the landscape, for example small mammals that might be wary of crossing open ground. Wildlife that might nest or feed in a hedge include bank voles and hedgehogs, whilst familiar faces such as the great tit and blue tit could also be found along a mature hedge.

 1: floodwaters completely obscure the path and nearly block access to West Hendon Playing Fields!
2: Lots of vegetation cleared by the hard-working volunteers.
3: A pair of Egyptian Geese enjoy the floodwater on the playing fields.

How are you doing with your own New Year's resolutions? Remember, you have more chance of success if you try to come up with small, measurable goals to help you achieve your aims! Why not comment with your progress, or tweet to @TorHeenan?

Green 2014: Walthamstow Marshes with TCV

So, following on from my previous post about New Year's resolutions for 2014 (and the benefits of green exercise or "ecotherapy"), here is a post about how I've been keeping my resolution to continue volunteering in nature conservation.

On Tuesday 7th January I headed out with TCV's Biodiversity Action Team in East London to tackle bramble at Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve. Although I've been involved with TCV for two years now, this was my first trip out with this particular project, and my first visit to Walthamstow Marsh. The marsh forms part of the Lee Valley Regional Park, and lying within Greater London it is a valuable space for recreation as well as for wildlife.

In spite of heavy rainfall, we made good progress with the task of cutting back bramble, and the sun made an appearance in the afternoon. Interestingly, we were working at the site of the first all-British powered flight, by Alliott Verdon Roe (founder of the Avro company) over the marsh. We were also close to the River Lea, with views of passing boats. It was great to see a new site and learn a little about its history, and the work to control bramble on the marsh should benefit a range of wildlife (which at Walthamstow Marsh includes Water Vole, Reed Warbler and Creeping Marshwort).

Walthamstow Marsh, with plenty of water in the ditches that run across the site. The River Lea
and boats can be glimpsed in the background, and beyond it the urban landscape of London intrudes.

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Take a look at the next post in the series, which talks about my volunteer work with the Barnet Green Gym!

Green in 2014

Happy New Year readers! While thinking about New Year's resolutions for myself, I couldn't help but reflect a little on resolutions generally, research a little about the word, and look at the success of the New Year's tradition.
   
res·o·lu·tion  /rɛzəˈluːʃ(ə)n/ (thefreedictionary.com)
n.
1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.


Do people still make New Year's resolutions? More importantly, perhaps, is the question: do people manage to keep them? One study in 2007 by the University of Bristol found a failure rate of 88% (although it suggests that setting small and measurable goals has more success: instead of "exercise more", you could instead aim to "go for a walk twice per week").

Frequently, goals include: improving physical well-being, improving mental well-being, making new friends, improving careers, and volunteering. This is great news for me, as I can tackle multiple goals with one fell swoop: I will continue to be involved in volunteering within nature conservation! I've been really impressed with the variety of benefits from volunteering. For someone committed to working in nature conservation, volunteering is a good way to keep skills up to date while between paid conservation jobs. There is the feel-good factor from helping to conserve wildlife and valuable green spaces. And there is an emerging body of evidence which points to the range of health benefits from "green exercise" or "ecotherapy", from reducing stress and feeling good to prolonging your life and improving your fitness - plus many people find it easier to keep up outdoor exercise such as walking or conservation tasks than exercising in a gym! I've also found volunteering to be a great way to see new places, encounter wildlife, and make new friends.

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So, how have I been tackling my New Year's resolution so far? Take a look at the next post to read about how I've been working with TCV to achieve my aims for 2014!

What resolutions do you have for 2014? Will you be making it a greener year? Why not comment with your New Year's resolutions, or tweet to @TorHeenan!

Hockley Woods (Autumn 2013)

It would seem Autumn is now underway, as the leaves begin to change colour and nature's harvest appears in the form of berries, nuts and seeds. Something else is making its presence known now too, popping up in the yet-mild and moist conditions: fungi!

A common sight in Autumn, fungi can burst through the
leaf litter to appear literally overnight!

Here are some images of Hockley Woods in Essex, a delightful place for a walk. The woodland trees include oak, hornbeam, hawthorn and sweet chestnut, and all seem to be growing and throwing down their respective seeds, berries and nuts with impressive abandon just now. These trees of the woodland, a mix of maiden and coppice, shelter the mycological interest which is very much evident now too. On a brief morning walk through the woods three weeks ago I saw a gratifying wealth of fungi, and captured some photos of them to both share here and to aid later identification!

Hockley Woods in Essex is an area of ancient woodland
which still shows the effect of Medieval management.

A "Blusher" Amanita rubescens and an "Amethyst
Deceiver" Laccaria amethystina stand side by side.

Another "Blusher" mushroom standing tall in Hockley Woods.

If this gets you excited about Autumn, perhaps you'll be pleased to hear that we have a dazzling display of colour to look forward to from the trees as they turn over the coming weeks. According to Brian Muelaner, the National Trust's ancient tree advisor,“Summer conditions have been ideal for a perfect autumn show”. If you'd like to find out more about why the weather this year has been just right for Autumn colours, the Guardian have an article here.

The Independent have also published an autumnal article, featuring the top 10 best Autumn walks of the UK. So, if you are looking for inspiration for your next walk, you can visit the article here!