Friday, 27th March saw an impressive turnout. Eighteen volunteers joined us for the Habitat Management workday, making it our biggest session yet.
Volunteers included local Knutsford residents alongside people who’d travelled from further afield in Cheshire, and we were especially delighted to welcome three colleagues from Catapult, the life science and technology company based at Alderley Park. Their employer kindly gave them time off to help us. Thank you to Catapult for your support; it really makes a difference.
Tom from Cheshire Wildlife Trust led the day and did a fantastic job managing us as we worked to improve Knutsford Heath Nature Reserve for both wildlife and visitors.
A cold start, a sunny finish
The morning greeted us with a cold drizzle, not the most enticing start. By the afternoon, though, the clouds cleared, and we enjoyed some lovely spring sunshine. It felt like a definite reward for sticking it out!
Where we worked and what we did
For this session, we focused on the heather area next to the grassland, which is a vital part of The Heath for wildlife. Heathland like this is rare and precious, and keeping it in good condition takes regular, careful management.
Our tasks for the day were:
- Removing gorse and tree saplings from among the heather plants. This helps prevent the heather from being crowded out and shaded as the scrub slowly spreads.
- Cutting back charred gorse — the blackened remains of bushes burned in a fire last summer. Clearing these helps free up space for plants to recover and spread.
A less welcome discovery: litter
We also ended up tackling a rather depressing amount of accumulated litter, particularly in and around the charred gorse.
Among the rubbish collected were many dog poo bags, which are unfortunately a familiar find on The Heath. Please, if you walk your dog here, do take your bags home or use the bins provided. The wildlife (and the volunteers who care for this place!) will thank you.
It’s not just about the work
Of course, it’s never just about the tasks. Everyone had a genuinely enjoyable day. There’s real camaraderie in working outdoors together, chatting as you go, and knowing you’re doing something worthwhile. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or joining us for the first time, you’ll always feel welcome.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their Friday to help. Your time and effort make a real difference to this special place.
Want to join us next time?
Our habitat management sessions take place every month, and everyone is welcome. No experience is necessary. Book your place at our next session on Friday, 24th April, using the link below:
We’d love to see you!
