Heritage trainee Shannon Rae - November blog

It is land management season! The winter months are heavily utilised for practical conservation purposes. This is because when the weather is cold plant growth halts, making it the best time to cut grass and, clear trees and vegetation. I have been keeping very busy with all the physical work and it’s been lots of fun.

Besides getting my first chainsaw cross-cutting qualification I have also been getting around to different reserves helping out with the tasks. I visited Leysdown Cottage to assist the Lederman trainees with clearing felled trees and pond work as well as working with another reserve manager at Gillham Wood where we were clearing and coppicing land to increase biodiversity. 

I have also finally gone out with the volunteer work parties here at RHNR. It was great fun, we were burning willow to give opportunity for higher quality reedbed. I have so much respect and appreciation for the volunteers, who work very hard. The friendships among them were really nice to see, they were laughing and making jokes. Email or speak to someone at the Discovery Centre if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, there are roles suited to everyone, inside and outside.

The work involved dragging willows, cutting them into small segments with loppers and saws (see picture) and placing on a bonfire. If you ever see a cloud of smoke on a Tuesday don’t panic, it’s a perfectly safe and controlled bonfire.

The weeks to come with hopefully be filled with much more of the physical work that I enjoy so much! I hope to meet and work with many other SWT staff and volunteers, increasing my knowledge and gaining essential experience in practical conservation.