On a bright and sunny weekend at the end of February we led a mixed team of volunteers including Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Sanctuary supporters, our own local volunteers, and for a short time 22 students and their teachers from Wadebridge School. Due to the current situation regarding Bird Flu we had to make sure that volunteers did not come from a restricted area, and all had to step through a foot bath to make sure nobody brought the disease into the owl sanctuary.
We had bought all the saplings from a local Cornish nursery to made sure that the seed provenance was as local as possible. It was so close the owners were able to pop over and collect the trees themselves to save carriage costs.
We had an interesting mix of tasks to do as the owners wanted a small woodland, a shelterbelt, a hedgerow and a willow structure. These were partially to protect the birds and animals at the sanctuary from the winds and hot sun, but also to improve the environment for wildlife. The willow structure would also be fun for visiting children once it has grown into shape.
Both days went well, although not all the volunteers who signed up arrived to help on the day. Those who did were well looked after by staff at the park who provided hot drinks and a free lunch to thank them for their help.
Afterwards we received an email from the landowners. “A BIG thank you to Steve, Phil, Angus & Leo that kept all the volunteers organised and planting. We are extremely pleased with the outcome. In Steve and his knowledge of the trees and the planting scheme was invaluable we are extremely grateful for your support of this activity.”
