The RSPB and the Green Light Trust have been working together on an innovative conservation woodland project in a quiet area of the woodland trail here at Minsmere. For seven weeks Turning Point volunteers have been travelling from Lowestoft to the beautiful woodland spot near the Canopy hide to work on practical tasks to improve neglected coppice to benefit wildlife. They have also designed and implemented a discreet trail for families to explore that joins the Canopy Hide to the Eastern edge of the Woodland Trail. There you can hear the rustle of leaves as squirrels search for places to cache their acorns, watch flocks of long-tailed tits whistling through the canopy, and in February hear the drumming of great spotted woodpeckers.
Photo by Green Light Trust
The Green Light Trust’s aim to “bring people and nature together” has seen participants coming from organisations and charities, such as Turning Point, develop skills in green wood work crafts using knives, learn how to fire light without matches , use hand tools to fell trees and gain wildlife knowledge through direct observation of nature. Add to this the enjoyment of being together and experiencing the therapeutic benefits of being in the woodland setting, no wonder there is a feeling in the team that “coming to Minsmere is the best day of the week.” as stated by one of Turning Point’s Peer Mentors Teresa.
Last winter saw the first of four programmes of practical woodland management work, trail post making and trail design which culminated this autumn when the last trail post was dug in to complete the circular route. The resulting trail “is magical and truly inspiring.” said Green Light Trust team leader, Pete Foster. “We walked around the site originally to get a feel for the natural lay of the land and were immediately drawn to the beauty of the sculptured dead oak trees and the fallen living trees. There were obvious deer tracks which led us back to where we started. It helped us set out what we needed to do”.
The volunteer team felt that the huge sculptural trees formed obvious route markers. Fallen trees are bound to become bridges, boats dragons and dens and there is a sense of wonder under the cathedral-roofed canopy of the massive beech and oak trees. Beautiful picnic spots are everywhere. Small sunken pits have a magnetic appeal for running through. There’s also plenty of dead wood around for children to hunt for mini-beasts.
The enthusiastic team created trail posts from felled sycamore and sweet chestnut in the area they coppiced earlier. RSPB volunteers Phil Parker and Derek Eaton have seen a real difference to the area, which forms part of an area they survey for butterflies and other insects. Phil explained that “opening up the woodland ride with the coppicing work has seen butterfly and dragonfly sightings rise”, including speckled wood butterflies and southern hawker dragonflies
The team enjoyed the responsibility of choosing and working on the route and preparing it over time. New skills have been learnt using penknives, bill hooks and the shaving horse. New hobbies have developed with green wood spoons, whistles and mallets being made. Andy made a fire pit in his back garden so he could cook out with his children and Teresa’s hand-made wooden spoons are now in high demand. Others have researched and designed wood art pieces at home having developed already artistic talents.
The project has transformed some people’s feelings of wellbeing. One member said “Learning new skills, chatting and laughing is the best therapy – takes all your worries away for a day.” On Anthea’s first visit she wrote “Today was my first experience and I enjoyed the serene surroundings of the wood and the fresh smell of the trees and the breeze coming in off the North Sea. The highlight of the day was cutting down my first tree and clearing the area for wildlife. The whole experience is utopia.”
To find out more about the work of the Green Light Trust and the work they do to connect people with the environment please see their website http://www.greenlighttrust.org/ and to find out more about Turning Point and the work they do to support adults and children please see their website http://www.turning-point.co.uk/
To find out how you can volunteer with the RSPB at Minsmere please contact us on 01728 648780 or email Minsmere@rspb.org.uk