Help create new greenery for Swindon
4:13pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in News
David Boase at Croft Woods
BUGS, bats and birds of prey are set to thrive when a green corridor is created in Croft Wood – but green-fingered volunteers are needed to get it going.
Swindon Council’s Ranger team is creating a green corridor 100 metres long, linking Croft Wood, off Pipers Way to other nearby woodland habitats over 24km long, including the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Coate Water Country Park.
And everyone is invited to get involved in the project, which has been set up in support of the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan, by helping to plant 525 hedges on Sunday.
David Boase, who is part of the ranger team and who organised the project, said: “By doing something as simple as planting hedges we are investing in the future of our countryside. I’m very proud to be a part of such a great project.
“The planting will take little effort but will have a large pay-off. We are lucky in Swindon to have a good amount of countryside already.
“If we don’t take care of it, we won’t have it forever.”
Croft Wood was planted almost 20 years ago and has turned into a valuable habitat for wildlife.
The new green corridor will benefit a number of creatures from tiny bugs and beasts right through to bats and birds of prey.
Coun Nick Martin, cabinet member for Streetsmart and Parks, said: “The fragmentation of woodland is recognised as a key threat to our country’s wildlife as it leads to a poorer diversity of plants and animals, which can in turn lead to the extinction of wildlife populations.
“I am delighted we are creating this green corridor as it will help to combat these problems, allowing wildlife greater freedom of movement and access to food which would otherwise not be available.
“I would urge anyone who is free on Sunday to pop down and lend a hand to an incredibly worthwhile project that will benefit Swindon’s wildlife.”
Anyone interested in taking part should meet at Croft Wood car park, off Pipers Way, opposite Nationwide House, at 10am.
The ranger team will be on hand to provide tools and gloves, but those taking part should wear stout footwear and warm, waterproof clothes. Wheelchair access is limited.
To find out more call 01793 490150 or email David at Dboase@swindon.gov.uk.
