Invasive Species Clearance | 24th October

Date and time

Tuesday October 24th 2024 9:30am - 3pm

Location

Sett Valley Trail car park Hayfield SK22 2ES

Meeting point and start time

There is limited parking close to the work site, so we will plan to meet up at the Sett Valley car park in Hayfield (SK035869; Google maps https://goo.gl/maps/i4gJT6SRokzpW4MF6) at 9.30am. Parking costs £7 for all day (cash, card, contactless). We will then drive up to the work site in a smaller number of vehicles. Don’t pay for the parking until we know which cars are being used to drive up to worksite. We aim to be finished by 3.00pm.

Why it’s worthwhile:

The western edges of Kinder have been colonised by rhododendron bushes. Although attractive to look at, rhododendrons are an invasive species, which outcompete all native plants, so nothing grows underneath, reducing biodiversity. With heavy rain the bare peat underneath washes away, adding to erosion, reducing quality of drinking water and increasing flood risk. We want to keep the peat on the hill where it stores huge amounts of carbon.

There has been a long-term National Trust project to remove rhododendron from Kinder, but pockets remain, and to complete the project BMC members have been asked to help remove remaining plants in some areas of woodland above Little Hayfield, Derbyshire. Removing rhododendrons will benefit nature, reduce flood risk, improve our water quality and help fight climate change.

What will the work involve?

We will walk a short distance, about 1km to the work area. Spending around 4 to 5 hours, working as part of a small team, we will remove the smaller rhododendron plants from an area of about woodland at Park Hall (SK037884; Google maps http://streetmap.co.uk/map?X=403709&Y=388390&A=Y&Z=115) . Under guidance from NT Rangers we will dispose of the plants initially by gathering into heaps, for later removal.

What to bring

Participants will be expected to wear or carry weather resistant clothing (including gloves and headwear) suitable for the conditions prevailing on the day which may be cold, wet and windy (meaning warm clothing and waterproofs). Footwear should be warm solid boots with grippy soles. Don’t wear your best gear and Goretex as you may get a bit muddy! Carry sufficient food and fluid for a full-day hill walk (a thermos with hot drink is good in colder months, water bottle in the summer!). There will not be any opportunities to buy refreshments during the day so bring everything you want with you. The group leader will have an emergency survival shelter and first aid kit. For the plant removal work please bring gardening gloves (in cold weather old winter gloves ideal). NT Rangers will provide all other tools.

NOTE: REMOVING RHODODENDRON PLANTS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED AND THEY CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, EVEN APPARENTLY SMALL PLANTS, AND THERE IS A RISK OF BACK INJURY FROM BENDING AND DIGGING OUT PLANTS. WE WILL BE GIVING SOME SAFETY TIPS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION BUT BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FOOTING, ESPECIALLY ON STEEP SLOPES AND HAVE A “SPOTTER”. DON’T OVER EXERT YOURSELF AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE WORKING WITHIN YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITS.

Who can come

This event is open to BMC members and accompanying friends, over 18. All participants must book a place in advance. No dogs.

How do I join in?

You must register, stating which day(s) you wish to attend the event, together with full name, email address, mobile phone number to the organiser Steve Charles on stevecharles25@gmail.com Numbers are limited. Email Steve Charles for more details